Medina, Minn. – Taylor Bunke (Bunke Racing) won the Semi-Pro Improved race—his first career win as a Semi-Pro racer—in USXC racing Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Park Rapids, MN. Ryan Faust (Faust Racing) took third in the Pro Stock class, where five Polaris racers are in the top 11 in points.
Bunke, who is in his second season in the Semi-Pro classes, finished second in the first day of racing, then was the top finisher on Sunday to win the Semi-Pro Improved class aboard a RUSH built on the new AXYS platform. That gave him two podium finishes in four races and put him second in class points.
Alex Hetteen (131 Racing) finished third in the Semi-Pro Stock class at Park Rapids and is currently third in Stock points.
Also racing on a RUSH on the AXYS platform in Pro Stock, Ryan Faust finished back in the field on Saturday but rebounded to cross the line third fastest on Sunday. That put him on the podium with a third-place overall finish. Bobby Menne (131 Racing) took fourth, Spencer Kadlec (Bunke Racing) was sixth and Travis Faust (Faust Racing) finished ninth.
With two strong finishes in the past two races, Menne left Park Rapids second in Pro Stock points, followed by five more Polaris racers in the top 11: Justin Tate (2-Eight Motorsports) is fourth in points, Ryan Faust is fifth, Gabe Bunke (Bunke Racing) is sixth, Kadlec is ninth, and Travis Faust is in 10th.
Jeff Hayford won the Sport 600 Open class and finished third in Sport 600 Stock and Robert Loire finished second in both classes. Loire is the points leader in both Sport classes, Daniel Herberg is second in Sport 600 Stock points, and Hayford is third in Open points.
Jill Tangen won the Women’s class at Park Rapids and is the class points leader. Kelsey Pladson (Bunke Racing) finished third and is also third in points.
Due to the lack of snow, USXC has cancelled the I-500 scheduled for Feb. 11-14, so the next USXC event will be Feb. 28-March 1 in Thief River Falls, MN.