Eckstrom Closes Gap In Points Race
Duluth rider closing in on Pro Open Championship
Green Bay, Wis., ~ Team AMSOIL Snocross rider D.J. Eckstrom barely missed winning two World PowerSports Association championships in 2005. The Duluth, Minn. rider is making a late season run at the Pro Open title in 2006.
Eckstrom, and Team AMSOIL teammate Carl Schubitzke, made the trip to Green Bay, Wis. last weekend to take part in the third annual Lambeau Leap. A large crowd turned out at the historic Lambeau Field for the eighth round of professional snocross racing.
Eckstrom, who has three podiums in the Pro Open class this season, including the win at the AMSOIL Duluth National, won his first qualifying heat and qualified on the front row for the 24-lap main event. Eckstrom was running in second with two laps to go when a bobble threw off his rhythm, allowing two riders to pass him. Eckstrom finished in fourth in the final and sits in the fourth position for the season points race. He trails leader Robi Malinoski by just 29 points and is only four points behind third place rider Dave Allard.
In Pro Stock, a mid-air collision in Eckstrom’s third heat caused the Duluth resident to move to the Last Chance Qualifier to make the final. After finishing in the final transfer spot, Eckstrom faced a tight track inside Lambeau Field. He would finish in 11th in the final. Eckstrom is currently in seventh in the Pro Stock class.
Schubitzke, meanwhile, had a bad crash in his first race of the day. He hit a deep hole in the first round of Pro Stock qualifying, ramming his chest into his handlebars. He was able to race all day, but was unable to make the finals in both classes. Tests revealed a cracked rib and broken bone in his hand. The Duluth-rider is undergoing more tests this week to determine his availability for the remainder of the season.
Look for Team AMSOIL on the podium at the next WPSA event at the West Yellowstone Snow Blast in West Yellowstone Park, Mont. The Lambeau Leap will air on ESPN2 on Tuesday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. EST.
The AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports team is based in Aurora, Minn. To learn more about Scheuring Speed Sports, go to www.scheuring-speedsports.com.
For more information on AMSOIL and Team AMSOIL racing, go to www.amsoil.com.
About the company: AMSOIL has been the recognized leader in synthetic lubricants since 1972. For more information about AMSOIL synthetic motor oils, call (715) 392-7101 or contact AMSOIL INC, AMSOIL Building, Superior, WI 54880, or go to www.amsoil.com.
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