EAGLE RIVER — It was a moment out of times past for Wahl Bros., driver Blaine Stephenson of Hutchinson, Minn., Friday night in Eagle River.

The four-time World Champion looked to be in prime form, making a mid-race pass for the lead and driving his No. 102 Polaris away from the field to win the marquee race of the evening during Friday Night Thunder, capturing the pole position for Sunday’s 62nd annual title race.

“Just really grateful after all the work the team put into this sled this offseason,” Stephenson said following the race. “It’s no secret that I haven’t personally been the biggest fan of (these Formula III machines), but it’s starting to come around.”

Stephenson was alongside the No. 57 driver Zach Dewald off the start line and it was Dewald who early on had the edge as he kept his Polaris a couple of sled lengths in front of Stephenson for the first half of the race.

A red flag tightened the field back up and after two-time defending champion Matt Goede jumped the green flag and was sent to the rear, Dewald and Stephenson again went back to battling.

“It’s a real privilege to be able to race against a guy like Zach whose family has such a storied career in this sport,” said Stephenson. “It’s just really fun to be able to race against a guy like him.”

As Dewald again secured the top spot, Stephenson seemed poised just off his rear bumper to pounce. And pounce he did with four laps to go as a small hiccup by Dewald coming out of turn two was all Stephenson needed.

“Once we got out in front and were able to run our line we sort’ve just drove away,” said Stephenson. “You could say the drive for five (championships) is on. This puts us in a really good spot for Sunday.”

Behind Dewald in third was the No. 29 of Joey Burch who was fast all day and will be a formidable pick to win Sunday’s 25-lap WC. Fourth place went to Goede who drove from the back of the pack midway through the race to almost make the podium. Fifth was Gunnar Sterne who again was a model of consistency on the No. 220 Ski-Doo.

Sixth was Gavin Peterson followed by Zach Rogers, Luke Olson and Andy Shoemaker.

While Stephenson has punched his ticket to the front row of Sunday’s World Championship, the remaining field of 23 drivers will battle to fill out the nine remaining spots on the front row Saturday afternoon.

Sunday will be the last chance qualifier race which will let two more racers onto the back row.