Media picks Stephenson as favorite in his ‘Drive For Five’
EAGLE RIVER, WISC. — Both familiar media pundits produced somewhat “fictional” odds following Saturday night qualifying heats at the World Championship Snowmobile Derby (WCDC) in Eagle River.
John Prusak of Snow Goer Magazine along with Brandon Normand and Brandon Grendzinski of DIRTY SNO Podcast each had four-time World Champion Blaine Stephenson of Hutchinson Minnesota on top of their picks sheet.
After setting fast time in qualifying Friday, Stephenson and his No. 102 Wahl Bros., Polaris were nearly unstoppable as he tore through laps and put himself the pole position after winning the Sweet 16 Formula III challenge race.
Saturday he was able to get back on the track on his champ sled, and he told spectators listening over the PA system at the Derby Track Saturday that he plans to see a much different handling track come Sunday.
“I already texted my dad and told him we’re going to have to tighten things up a bit,” said Stephenson, Saturday.
The Wahl Bros., program, for the most part, has struggled with the learning curve on the new F-III stock racing chassis. Though following a podium finish from Tom Olson last year and now a huge upswing in Stephenson’s speed and handling, they seem to have things heading in the right direction.
Olson hopes to be a late addition to the field as he would have to finish in the top two during Sunday morning’s last chance qualifier race. He along with Gavin Peterson, Mason Schuette, Ryan McCaig, Luke Olson, Tyler Town, Tavish Perry, Ezra Graumann, Zach Rodgers and Benjamin Langas will all battle for one of the top two spots to transfer in.
Race time is set for 10:30 a.m. Sunday and will kick-off race events for the day.
Rest of WC Field
Defending two-time champion Matt Goede along with Zach Dewald lead the way as the top two picks from Snow Goer and DIRTY SNO to challenge for the championship with Stephenson.
Goede’s had an up and down weekend for the most part, though his experience alone offers a promising pick for many.
Dewald nearly put himself on the pole for today’s race and had it not been for a mid-race red flag Friday in the Sweet 16 he may have been the one picking the prefered starting spot today.
He’s won the Pro Enduro WC at Eagle River and put himself on the podium in the Formula III race already also. He’s another solid pick heading into this afternoon’s race.
Some other fast drivers that can easily, with an opportunity, find themselves near the top according to the media are Gunnar Sterne, Joey Burch and Reed Klinger.
Sterne’s not shy about his struggles with the Formula III machines, though he’s gotten much better coming into this year and is showing much better than any other year so far on the new F-III.
Burch podiumed last year and is fast once more this season. He along with Reed Klinger are the two oddsmakers picked to pull the biggest upset from the middle of the pack.
Tanner Foss has been impressive on both the Formula III and Pro Champ machines this weekend and Prusak likes him as one of the better racers to pull an upset also. “He has been getting great holeshots and has a tremendous sled,” said Prusak. “The question is whether he can maintain that speed for 25 laps.”
Dustin Schwandt is the lone Arctic Cat in the field so far and could be a person to watch get to the podium if a few things go his way.
Andy Shoemaker and Dakota Harris are each picked as long shots, but as anyone who’s watched the WC knows, anything can happen, especially at Eagle River.