Story & Photos: Emily Wicklund

With temps reaching -32 in Park Rapids, Minnesota, the USXC circuit hunkered down to complete the Heartland 200, their first terrain race of the season. Drivers covered their faces in duct tape, turned their hand warmers on and tackled the 125-mile course. The terrain was made up largely of wooded trails and small ditch sections which was rough on a large amount of riders. The two-day event utilized an I 500 format with all riders taking off together and results based on a total of both days. All pro riders were eager to capture the win and claim the coveted neon Heartland 200 sign.

On Saturday, Zach Herfindahl came out with the early race lead with Re Wadena following closely behind. 2018 Pro Stock points champion Aaron Christianson had his weekend cut short after getting cut off and totaling his sled in the first 10 miles of the race. Herfindahl continued to lead rider to the fuel stop with Wedena, and Selby behind him. Herfindahl stretches his lead to almost 3 minutes over Wadena as they finish day one. Selby, Erdman (on his 4-stroke), and Tate being the top Polaris rounding out the top 5 (in time).

Herfindahl completely dominated this race course. He grew up riding in wooded areas so he was in his element at the Heartland 200.

On Sunday, Herfindahl took off with an almost 3 minute lead in front of Wadena. Early into day two, Ross Eardman, who was running 4th had an off and was out of the race. With Erdman out of the running, Hetteen (winner of Pine Lake and last years Heartland 200) moved into the top 5.

Christan Brothers teammates Zach Herfindahl (312) and David Brown (871) battle near the beginning of the race. Unfortunately, Brown had an off early in day 2 totaling his sled while running at the top of the pack in Semi-Pro and top 10 in Pro.

Herfindahl continued to stretch out his lead to 4 minutes coming into the fuel stop with a battle brewing behind him. Wes Selby and Re Wadena come into the fuel stop simultaneously.

Herfindahl continues to lead the second half of day two and wins the Heartland 200 in Pro Open and Pro Stock. Selby managed to get around Wadena and take the 2nd spot putting Wadena in 3rd for an all Arctic Cat podium. Pro Open finished similar except Tate finishing in 3rd. Ean Voigt took the win in the Semi-Pro class with Tyler Oettinger in 2nd and Dan Revering in 3rd.

RESULTS

Was it Selby’s air horn built into his handle bars that made him catch Wadena? We will never know.
Wadena had a very impressive run after finishing 5th at Pine Lake.
Justin Tate pounding through the ditches finishing 4th in Pro Stock and 3rd in Pro Open. (Wadena did not enter Pro Open, therefor putting Tate’s Polaris on the podium)
Despite the broken visor, Ean Voigt managed to win the Semi-Pro class.
After winning at Pine Lake and winning the Heartland 200 in 2018, Alex Hetteen pulled through with 5th place in Pro Stock this weekend.
The cold weather made snow dust to stand still but Dillian Dohrn plowed through it for a 6th place finish in Pro Stock and 4th in Pro Open.
Taking a look at the younger classes, Paul Brown had an impressive run this weekend. Finishing in just 4 hours and 27 minutes, Brown won the Junior 14-17 and Expert 600 limited classes. Based on his time, he would have finished 7th out of 27 in Semi-Pro if he would have entered.
Pro riders Jay Mittelstaedt (297) and Dillian Dohrn (5) battle through a section of woods on day 1.
The coveted neon sign that is awarded to the Pro Stock winner each and every year.