Eckstrom, Crapo Heading to Winter X
Despite lack of snow, both riders heading to Aspen

No snow in the upper Midwest isn’t slowing down the Snocross racing and the plans for a gold medal at this year’s Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.  Both riders in the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports trailer have qualified for this years event, which is aired live on ESPN and ABC.

Crapo qualified by finishing second at the AMSOIL Duluth National on Thanksgiving weekend.  Eckstrom, who finished seventh in Duluth and just missed the cut, was scheduled to race in a qualifier on New Years Eve.  The birth of his daughter kept the two-time medalist from riding that weekend.  That means Eckstrom will receive a sponsor exemption and will be able to compete in Aspen.  The long-time AMSOIL rider has won a silver and bronze medal at the event.

“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.”

Crapo finished fourth at last years game, and this will mark the first time the young rider gets to compete close to his Idaho home on an AMSOIL backed sled.

The Snocross portion Winter X Games 11 airs live from January 26 – January 27 on ESPN and ABC. Check local listings for times. Winter X Games 11 Schedule
 

Supercross Starts In Southern Cal.
Team AMSOIL nabs top tens, loses Grant

SPEED Channel broke out three-plus hours of live supercross coverage  as part of the AMA Supercross series season opener in Anaheim, Calif. January 6, 2007.  AMSOIL was well represented at the first race of the year, with Kevin Windham, Travis Preston, Josh Grant and Jake Weimer representing the Factory Connection/AMSOIL team.

In the Supercross class, it was Preston showing his speed early and often. The veteran rider took his Honda CRF450 to a third in his heat race and a fouth in the main. Windham battled slow starts but was able to finish fifth in his heat and ninth in the main.

In the Lites class, Weimer stole the show from championship favorite Grant. Weimer worked into the lead in his heat race, finishing one spot ahead of Grant. In the main, Weimer worked his bike into fifth place by the time the checkered flag dropped.

Despite the second place ride, Grant's night was cut short due to injury. The young rider suffered a lung injury during practice and was unable to race in the final. Team representatives hope he will be able to ride this weekend in Phoenix.

All forms of racing are getting going again now that the holidays are over. This weekend marks the return of snocross in Brainerd, Minn. Oval ice racing gets underway at the AMSOIL Eagle River Derby Track, and the arenacross series will be back with a round of racing in Baltimore.

Anaheim 1 Final Results