BEST IN THE DESERT Mint 400UTV Race March 4, 2017

Dodge Poelman recorded his first-ever BITD victory with his win the UTV Pro Production class, and finished an impressive third overall. However, Poelman’s race nearly ended before it started. Racing his father, Ryan, out of the start, he overcooked a turn early in the race and flipped.

Dodge Poelman finished an impressive 3rd Overall & won the Pro Production UTV class at the BITD Mint 400

“I got ahead and then I got on my head,” said Poelman with a laugh. “I was too happy about beating my dad off the line and the turn was a little sharper than I had anticipated. That was the only mistake we made; no tires, no belts, just a clean run.”

Maxxis / Polaris’ Kristen Matlock secured her second-consecutive runner-up finish at the Mint 400, and she also finished fourth overall against a stacked field of competitors.

Polaris / Maxxis' Kristen Matlock once again finished 2nd in the Pro Production UTV class at the Mint 400 less than 2 minutes behind Dodge Poelman & she finished an impressive 4th Overall among UTV racers

“The course just kept getting rougher as the race went on,” said Matlock. “I started 10th and just picked my way through the pack pretty quickly in the naturally aspirated class and I had to pass a few turbos, as well. We had no issues today.”

STI’s Gunner Savage rounded out the UTV Production class top three in his Yamaha YXZ 1000R and finished 11th overall.

STI's Gunner Savage finished 3rd in the Pro Production UTV class & was the top Yamaha YXZ 1000R finisher

In the UTV Unlimited class, Lonestar Racing / Can-Am's Gabriel Varela scored the class win.

Can-Am / LSR's Gabriel Varela Won the UTV Unlimited Class

The next race for the Best in the Desert Series is the Polaris UTV World Championship, being held in Laughlin, NV April 14-15.

1 2 3 ::Page 4::