February 13, 2009
Medina, MN - Polaris snocross racers captured three of six Pro-class podium spots in February 6-8 ISOC racing at Brainerd, Minnesota, to put themselves in prime positions to battle for class titles in the second half of the ISOC season.
Three Hentges Racing teammates earned the Pro-class podium spots at Brainerd, led by Brett Bender’s second-place finish in Pro Open, one spot ahead of teammate Levi LaVallee in third. In Pro Super Stock, TJ Gulla of Hentges Racing finished second to reach the podium.
The eight-race, 2009 ISOC schedule is now at its mid-point, and LaVallee is second in points in both Pro classes. He and his fellow Polaris racers will battle the field for championship points in four of the next five weeks. Gulla is currently third in Pro Open points and fifth in Pro Super Stock points. Polaris racers on IQ® Race Sleds occupy seven of the top 11 positions in Pro Stock points.
Pro Classes: Strong Showing By Bender
First-year Pro racer Brett Bender (Hentges Racing) had both good and bad outcomes in the weekend’s two Pro finals, but came away from Brainerd with a boost in confidence. In Pro Open, he ran strong to finish second and earn a podium position and take over the eighth spot in class points.
In Pro Super Stock, Bender won a heat race and was the top qualifier heading into the final. He sprinted to the first turn to grab the holeshot and the early lead, but his good fortune gave out by the end of the first lap when he was bounced off his sled, dropping him back in the pack. Even so, Bender is 10th in Pro Super Stock points and can climb up the standings with a strong finish to the season.
While LaVallee is second in Pro Super Stock points, Gulla is fifth, Shaun Crapo (Amsoil/US Air Force) is sixth, Matt Judnick (Judnick Motorsports) is ninth, Bender is 10th and Bobby LePage (Hentges Racing) is 11th.
In Pro Open points, Polaris racers in the top 11 include LaVallee (second), Gulla (third), Judnick (ninth) and Crapo (11th).
Polaris Racers Win in Juniors, Sport Class at Brainerd
James Johnstad (Avalanche Racing) of Beltrami, Minnesota, won the Junior 16-17 and Junior 14-15 classes at Brainerd, and Joe Fallen (Fallen Racing) of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, took first in Sport Super Stock 1. In Pro Women’s Super Stock, Polaris racer Christina Herheim (Triple H&J Racing) finished second at Brainerd to take over fourth in class points, and in Sport Women’s Super Stock, Kendra Dallmann (LePage Racing) and Stephanie Schmidt (Schmidt Racing) finished second and third, respectively.
The ISOC National circuit moved to Farmington, New York, for racing February 13-15.
