Story & Photos: Emily Wicklund
The USXC season opener took place over the weekend at the prominent Gerald Dyrdahl 200. Unlike last year, with temps reaching the mid-40s, this years racing action brought sub-zero temps and no wind causing snow dust to hover over the racing surface. Racers came from all over the United States and Canada to compete for $35,000 in the total purse payout; with Pro Stock paying $10k to the champion.
On Saturday, Zach Herfindahl started his weekend right becoming the number one qualifier in the Pro Open class for the final later in the day. Travis Faust, Alex Hetteen, Andy Wenzlaff, Ross Erdman, and Taylor rounded out the top six qualifiers making up the front row of the final.
The Semi-Pro riders also had their qualifier on Saturday giving them a chance to earn a front row starting spot for their heads-up final on Sunday. Gunner Arlaud showed speed across Pine Lake earning himself the top qualifying spot. Thirty second back was Wisconsin driver Dustin Schwandt. Abe Olson, Grant Weber, Dustin Dohrn, and Boe Bunke all claimed a front row spot in the final.
After the Junior, Classic, and Sport classes took the track for their first day of racing it was time for the first Pro Open final of the season. Zach Herfindahl found the lead quickly on the opening lap. At some point in the 2nd lap, Herfidahl had a mechanical issue which caused him to have an off and take a DNF.
With flat light and snow falling, racers took the course to take on day two of the season opener. The four lap Pro Stock qualifying sleds were the first to take on the lake.
Selby (Arctic Cat), Hetteen (Polaris), Bunke (Polaris), and Erdman (Arctic Cat) made up the top 6 qualifiers and were granted the front row for the Pro Stock final later in the day.
After classes that competed in the 2 day merge format finished up their weekend, the Semi-Pro Heads up final was up. This race had fans on their toes from the start with Semi-Pro rookie Boe Bunke (Polaris) taking the whole shot and getting around the first couple corners in the lead.
The final race of the weekend was the Pro Stock final with $10,000 up for grabs for the winner. Not only do they get a nice payday but they get their name etched into the Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial trophy. The 6th qualifier Ross Erdman changed his sled which forced him to start on the back row of the heads up final. Selby proved it was possible to win from the back row yesterday so don’t count anyone out. Chad Lian was moved up to the front row which gave him a little boost of confidence before the start. Arctic Cat rider, Wes Selby got out of the gate fast giving him the early race lead with a wolf pack behind him. By lap 4, Chad Lian had made the past on Selby making him the new race leader. After lap 5 Lian still held the lead with last seasons points runner-up (Christensen) and champion (Herfindahl) breathing down his neck. After Christensens fuel stop Selby got back around him taking back the 3rd place spot.
