For Immediate Release
Clear Lake, MN (March 13, 2023) – The AMSOIL Championship Snocross series introduced a new triple crown format for the Pro class at rounds 11 & 12, presenting some unique challenges for both riders and pit crews. With three points paying races taking place in just over two and one-half hours, the focus on starts, between race maintenance and rider nutrition was at an all-time high.
The format produced some of the most exciting racing of the season with each round having the potential to make or brake a rider’s overall result. Elias Ishoel was collected in a first turn pileup to open the show on Friday night resulting in a potentially damaging eighth place finish. Ishoel bounced back for a second place in round two, to go along with a seventh in round three.
While not the greatest results on paper, the chaos that took place throughout the field during this first of a kind format, meant that Ishoel still finished fifth overall and actually extended his championship point lead.
On Saturday, Elias was completely locked in on his starts, avoiding any contact and racing to scores of 1-1-2 in the rounds. The result was a fifth overall win of the season and a point total that now puts Ishoel more than one full race up on the next rider in the standings.
Marcus Ogemar swept his Pro Lite qualifying rounds on Friday and finished third in the main event, adding another podium to his portfolio for the season. On Saturday, Ogemar was fifth in the class final and maintains a solid hold on third in the standings.
Emeric Legendre raced to a top 10 finish on Friday night crossing the line in ninth place. Legendre scored his third heat race win of the season on Saturday and was running as high as sixth in the main event before having an issue and dropping to the back of the 15 rider final. Emeric was able to regain a few positions to finish 12th.
Crayden Dillon swept his Sport class qualifying rounds on Friday and appeared to have won the main event after a heated battle with rival Drew Freeland. Following the podium presentation, Crayden was docked three positions for unintentional contact with Freeland and awarded fourth place.
Dillon added another fourth place finish on Saturday after getting held up on the start before advancing all the way forward from 12th in the nine lap final.
With just two weekends of racing remaining in the season, both Elias Ishoel and Crayden Dillon have commanding leads in their respective class championships. In two weeks the series will move on to the Cannonsburg Ski Area just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan