Team AMSOIL Takes Three Podiums
Eckstrom Wins AMSOIL Duluth National, AGAIN!

Gaylord, Mich. ~ When the new snocross season came around, D.J. Eckstrom didn’t think he’d have to travel to Michigan to defend his hometown win in 2004 Pro Open at the AMSOIL Duluth National.  But the dreaded fog put the title defense on a three-week and two state delay.

Eckstrom, who won the 2004 AMSOIL Duluth National by a seven second margin, had three good qualifying heats on Saturday, winning one round and grabbing a second and fourth in the other two.  While the track and location changed, Eckstrom knew he would need a good start to have a chance at his second straight “Duluth” win.  When the green flag flew, signaling the start of the race, Eckstrom bolted out off of the starting line and was able to slip through the sea of sleds, gaining the lead in the first turn.  The lead was something that the number 25 AMSOIL-Polaris driver would hold onto from start to finish, capping off a Polaris podium sweep.

“This is great for our sponsors and it was nice to have a Polaris sweep today,” said Eckstrom. “My team has been working extra hard, trying to get ready for this event, and their hard work really paid off today. The first corner was pretty intense in both the Pro Stock and Pro Open races. Everybody piled in there and they were bashing and digging. Coming out of there cleanly really made it a lot easier.”

Eckstrom was also a top pilot in the Pro Stock class. The Duluth, Minn.-native headed to Gaylord with a spot on the front row for the final.  The World PowerSports Association (WPSA) was able to get the first three rounds of qualifying completed in Duluth before the fog draped across the Twin Ports like a wet blanket.  A good start pushed the Scheuring Speed Sports sled into third, and Eckstrom would hold on to the Polaris IQ 440 throughout the rough and less-than-technical track for a third place finish.

On Sunday, the power of the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports was on display once again.  This time, however, it was behind the stock motor of Carl Schubitzke’s No. 96.  Schubitzke, who was looking for his first Pro National podium since joining the Scheuring team last season, showed off his amazing ability on Sunday.  After taking a second and a sixth in the first two qualifying heats, Schubitzke rattled off a heat win to ride into the final.  It was there that Schubitzke picked a middle starting spot on the front row.  “Showtime” was able to get a great jump on the start and held on up the steep straightaway, despite getting pinched hard by two fellow riders.  When the roosts settled after the first turn, Schubitzke was in third, hot on the tail of the second place rider.  As the final wore on, Schubitzke was able to use his speed in the straight sections to get around the second place rider and move into second, where he would finish the race behind fellow Polaris rider Levi LeValle.

“I was gaining on Levi,” said Schubitzke after the race.  “If I would have had another lap or two, I know I would have caught him.  But he ran a great race, and it feels awesome to finally get back up here.  Everyone on the team works so hard to get me ready to race, and I’m glad it finally paid off.”

Eckstrom, meanwhile, did not make it into the Pro Stock final on Sunday.  He had to go through the Last Chance Qualifier after tallying a seventh place finish during the first heat.  The seasoned veteran was leading the race after grabbing the hole shot and looked to be in great position for the win before Arctic Cat rider Robi Malinoski made what many describe as a questionable move, ramming into Eckstrom’s sled and knocking him off.  Eckstrom was able to recover, but the slow finish moved him into the LCQ, where he was unable to regain his momentum from his Saturday victory.  The Pro Open class offered much of the same for Schubitzke and Eckstrom, as both riders didn’t get the jump off the line they needed to compete.  Eckstrom finished the 18-lap race in eighth and Schubitzke in tenth. 

Don’t worry, Team AMSOIL will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle at a track that will be more suitable for the speed and technical ability Eckstrom and Schubitzke are known for.  The WPSA returns to action January 14-15 at the Canterbury Snocross in Shakopee, Minn.
The AMSOIL Duluth National will air on ESPN2 on Jan. 30 at a time to be announced.

Windham Out Until San Diego
Broken Arm Befalls Top Rider

Corona, Calif. ~ Team AMSOIL will be without its top rider until at least the sixth race of the AMA Supercross season.  Kevin Windham was riding during a test session last week in Southern California when he hit the dirt hard.  His front end washed out on a just-watered section of the Honda practice track.  “K-Dub” suffered a compound fracture of both bones in his lower left arm.  The breaks were considered “clean” by doctors, and he underwent surgery to repair the bones.  Windham had plates and screws inserted into his arm and is expected to make a full recovery.

Windham, who won the Supercross opener in Anaheim last season, will not be back to defend his win at this year’s opener, which is scheduled for January 7, 2006.  Team officials expect his earliest possible return date would be the San Diego Supercross on February 11, 2006. 

Teammate Mike LaRocco will be back on his Honda for the season opener.  The 34-year-old took home a second place finish in Anaheim last year, despite the muddy conditions.  Supercross Lite riders Billy Laninovich and Jake Wiemer will also be in action next month.  CBS will be airing a one-hour Supercross preview show on Christmas Day at 5 p.m. EST.

TV Coverage

AMSOIL is once again gaining great coverage of its teams on television.  CBS, SPEED, ESPN2 and OLN are just some of the channels where you can catch TEAM AMSOIL.  For a complete list of show times go to www.amsoil.com for more information.

Changing Seasons

If you are an AMSOIL Dealer and are looking to sponsor a local racer through the AMSOIL Co-op Race Program, please fill out the G-2074 and send it to the AMSOIL Racing Department.  Teams who were sponsored last year will need to fill out the form once again.  Also, please remember to send in your race results, as they will be included in the Checkered Flag.

More from Team AMSOIL

• The family-backed Stoffle Racing Team had a good weekend of racing in Wyoming last weekend.  A.J. Stoffle powered his sled to two first place wins at the Mountain States Snowmobile Racing event in Centennial, Wyo.  Stoffle was able to win the 120 Modified Class as well as the Jr. 7-10 Class.  He took second in the 440 Stock Drags and seventh in the Jr. 10-13 class.  His sister, Michelle, took a fourth in the Jr. 7-13 class and 9th in the Beginner Women event.  Father, Michael, took second in the Masters Class 40+ Division.

• Team AMSOIL snocross rider Kristen Leirmoe is gaining confidence in the women’s Pro classes of the WPSA.  Leirmoe, who rides for PMK Performance Racing out of Beloit, Wis., traveled to the WPSA Wisconsin Regional race at the Telemark Ski Hill in Cable, Wis. last weekend.  After taking home fourth, fifth and sixth place finishes in her heat races, Leirmoe powered her Polaris to a third place finish in the final.