Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck’s Tucker Hibbert swept rounds five and six of the ISOC National Snocross tour in Shakopee, Minn. The nine-time champion excelled on Canterbury Park’s long, technical track and relied on experience to extend his championship points lead.
Hibbert laid down impressive runs in his qualifying rounds and the final Friday night. Despite having to start from the far outside in the final due to ISOC’s new inversion rule, he ripped the Stud Boy holeshot and by lap four of 14, stretched out a six-second lead over second place. With two to go and a 13-second lead, he backed down his pace on the final lap to take the win.
Temperatures dropped below zero Saturday night leaving the course filled with ice edges and holes. Hibbert won his first qualifier but found out the hard way in round two how unpredictable the track was. A nasty crash near the end of the race forced him to run the last chance qualifier (LCQ) race. A win in the LCQ gave him the inside pick on the second row of the 15-rider, 14-lap final. With a clean start, he made passes early to finish lap one in fifth place and with the leader in sight. Staying patient, he moved into second place behind no. 53 Kody Kamm on lap 10. Three laps to go, Kamm crashed leaving the door open for Hibbert to complete the sweep.
Hibbert now has a 32-point lead in the 2015-2016 ISOC National Pro Open Championship points chase. He plans to utilize the weekend off in the ISOC tour to prepare for X Games Aspen where he’ll compete for his ninth consecutive gold medal. For more information on his race schedule, visit tucker-hibbert.com.
Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck
“It feels really good to have a weekend like this. After Fargo, we [the team] really put our heads down. I didn’t feel like we were on the top of our game at the first two events of the season. I spent a lot of time riding and testing to get to where I knew I needed to be.”
“I felt awesome Friday night. The track really suited my riding style. It was the longest track we’ve had all season, technical and good for racing. Saturday was a different story. With the cold temps, track conditions changed big time. It was the kind of track that could bite you so you had to be patient. I found that out when I pushed too hard in my second qualifier and got sent to the LCQ. In the final, I was happy to be up with the top three guys after my back row start. I wasn’t comfortable with doing whatever it takes to get the lead. I knew I had to be cautious. I was pushing hard but wasn’t willing to push any harder.”
“The next two weeks our focus will be on preparing for X Games. This year will be different with racing at Deadwood before X Games but we’re ready. It’s going to be a fun!”
Tucker Hibbert – 2016 Canterbury National Results
Pro Open Round 5 – Friday
Round 1: 1st
Round 2: 1st
Final: 1st
Pro Open Round 6 – Saturday
Round 1: 1st
Round 2: 8th
Final: 1st