Let’s go back to March 13, 2020 race fans. The Sport class was lined up at the start line for the second-to-last set of rounds of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series. Within minutes, a call from the Michigan governor’s office killed all engines and any hopes Pro riders had of hitting what looked to be an awesome track for the tour’s first trip to Grand Rapids, Mich.
The final rounds in Lake Geneva, Wis., were canceled, too, cutting the season two events short. That meant the class champions were decided without resolving the season-long battles on the track, like the miniscule four-point margin that separated Pro Lite riders Francis Pelletier (the ultimate champ) and Team AMSOIL rider Hunter Patenaude.
Back with a vengeance
Through diligent work during the off-season, and anticipating upcoming obstacles due to the ongoing pandemic, ISOC was able to release a 2021 AMSOIL Championship Snocross schedule with the promise of fulfilling all 17 rounds of racing. And, while there are a lot of regular stops on the upcoming schedule, there are some noticeable change-ups, as well as a schedule shift.
2021 AMSOIL Championship Snocross schedule highlights
Noticeably absent from this season’s schedule is the opening round in Duluth, Minn., Thanksgiving weekend. Instead, the series will open at ERX Motorpark in Elk River, Minn., Jan. 8-10. The highly touted track, which hasn’t seen a national since 2012, will also host the always-entertaining AMSOIL DOMINATOR® race Friday night.
Next up will be two of the most popular stops on the tour: Dubuque, Iowa and Deadwood, S.D. After that, it’s off to Fargo, N.D., and a new venue – the Red River Fairgrounds.
The series then heads east Feb. 19-20 to Salamanca, N.Y. After that, it’s the Daytona of Snocross – Shakopee, Minn., March 5-6. Afterward, it’s off to Lake Geneva, Wis., for what’s usually the finale.
But, scheduling conflicts forced the series to schedule one more weekend of racing. Which brings us back to where it all started, or in the case of COVID, ended. The final round this season will be in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 26-27. The highly anticipated track last season will close out the year and crown champions.
AMSOIL DOMINATOR takes on a new format
Arguably the most exciting event of opening weekend is the AMSOIL DOMINATOR race on Friday night. Check out Kody Kamm in last year’s event battling Adam Renheim below.
Normally a head-to-head bracket-style race, this season we’ll see a new format. Following the Cup-style racing we see in off-road racing, this year’s DOMINATOR will pit Pro Lite and Pro racers against each other. It promises to be an exciting opening to the season.
Tune in all season for championship action
Will Hunter Patenaude bring new light to the Pro class this season? Will anyone be able to contend with back-to-back champ Elias Ishoel? Be sure to tune in all season to the live stream to find out!
Find a full series schedule here. For a pre-season discussion of the schedule, new DOMINATOR format and what to expect this season, listen to the latest Snocross Podcast presented by AMSOIL here.
We’ll see you at the races!
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