Eckstrom’s Second Sets Stage For Winter X
Fourth Podium of the year for Team AMSOIL rider

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Quadna, Minn., ~ Despite some troubles with his sled during qualifying, Team AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports Snocross pilot D.J. Eckstrom took second place in the Pro Open class at the Air Force National at Park X in Hill City, Minn. last weekend.  The podium finish puts him in second place, just five points out of the lead in the overall points race for the WPSA Pro Open class.

Eckstrom adds last weekend’s podium to his Open class win at the AMSOIL Duluth National and two Pro Stock podiums on the season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most consistent racers in the sport.

Eckstrom will head to Aspen for the Winter X Games this weekend with hopes to carry on his winning ways. He has a bronze and a silver medal from previous X Games’ performances; this year looks like a promising year to round out his collection.

“You always want to win Winter X,” said Eckstrom.  “The track is the best one we’ll see all year and it’s in front of a huge (TV) audience, so winning that race can make your season a success no matter what you do the rest of the year.  I have a good feeling heading out there that we’ll be bringing back some hardware.”

Eckstrom’s teammate, Carl Schubitzke, will be competing at the Winter X Games as well, looking to get his first Winter X medal. “Showtime” has grabbed on podium this year with a second place finish in the Pro Stock race in Gaylord, Mich.  Schubitzke was picked as a favorite at Winter X last year, but a crash in the first turn of the final put him out of the race.

“This is the year D.J. will get back a medal at Winter X,” said AMSOIL Racing Coordinator Jeremy Meyer. “But I’d watch for Carl on the podium. He’s been getting some great starts this year and could emerge as the dark horse in Aspen.”

Winter X Games 10 airs live from January 28 – January 31 on ESPN and ABC. Check local listings for times.

2006 Winter X Games Snocross Schedule
DATE	EVENT	RACE TIME	Live Telecasts
Saturday January 28	Quarterfinals	1:30 - 2:30 p.m. MT	4 pm - 5 pm (EST) (ABC)
Sunday January 29	Semifinals	1:35 - 3 p.m. MT	3 pm - 4 pm (EST) (ESPN)
Monday January 30	Last Chance Qualifiers**	8:15 - 9 p.m. MT	9 pm - 11 pm (EST) (ESPN)
Monday January 30	Finals**	8:15 - 9 p.m. MT	9 pm - 11 pm (EST) (ESPN)
**In Conjunction with skiing and snowboarding finals

Wanderscheid Finds Another Podium
Team AMSOIL star gets top finish close to home

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Sauk Centre, Minn. ~ Team AMSOIL oval ice racer P.J. Wanderscheid finished in third-place at Lake Hassel in Benson, Minn., last weekend. After regaining the world championship at Eagle River the week before, Wanderscheid enjoyed taking a podium a little closer to home.

In the 600 Open class on Saturday Wanderscheid ran well in his qualifying heats and overcame some mechanical difficulties to put together a strong showing in the final qualifier of the day. After spending most of the 10-lap final fighting for second with Gary Moyle, Wanderscheid finished third behind Moyle and winner Terry Wahl.

On Sunday, after some track repair, Wanderscheid took first-place in the first two heats of the Champ 440 class. After taking third in the third heat of the day, they plowed the track one last time as the racers lined up for the final. Wanderscheid took the hole shot and led into the first corner with Wahl and Moyle on his tail. Wanderscheid couldn’t hold his line coming out of turn two, allowing Wahl and Moyle to sneak by. The final ended just like the other; Wahl, Moyle and Wanderscheid.

“The motors ran strong all weekend. We just couldn’t make enough adjustments to the handling of the machine on the lake ice today,” said Crew Chief Mark Wanderscheid.

The Benson race was the first stop in a string of WPSA races for Team AMSOIL/Wanderscheid Racing. The team will be in Wausau, Wis., for the Flip Merwin Memorial Race, then in Garrison, Minn., for the second leg of the Woody’s Triple Crown.

Laninovich Loses Ground In Anaheim
Supercross Lites driver stays in hunt for West Championship.

Anaheim, Calif. ~ Billy Laninovich was looking for his third straight podium of the Supercross Lites series this year, but he couldn’t repeat the top speeds at the second Anaheim race that helped him grab a third place finish at the season opener three weeks ago. 

Laninovich, who entered last weekends race with a slight lead in the AMA Supercross Lites West Series points race, qualified high for Saturday’s main event.  The Southern California rider had to settle, however, for a fourth place finish in the final.  “Lano” is currently in second place in the points race, just six points behind the leader.

Meanwhile, Lites teammate Jake Wiemer continues his strong start to his rookie season.  Wiemer finished with a strong sixth at Anaheim 2, his third straight top ten finish.  Wiemer is currently in sixth place overall in the Lites West Series.

Team AMSOIL teammate Mike LaRocco finished seventh in the Supercross Main event.  It’s the second week in a row that LaRocco finished out of the top five after a fourth place finish at Anaheim 1.  The AMSOIL team will be in action again this weekend in San Francisco.  The race will be televised on CBS on Sunday morning.

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.