Ekre Still Atop The Charts After Day Two Of I-500

Thief River Falls, Minn. (January 16, 2010) - After a scorching-fast run on Day 1 which averaged 71mph, D.J. Ekre overcame adversity on Day 2 of the Seven Clans Casino Red Lake I-500 Presented by C&A Pro Skis to remain atop the time charts with a two-day total time of 5:30:14.822. Attrition on Day 1 took its toll and just over 100 riders from an original 127 lined up outside the race host Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn. to start Day 2. USCC put together a different course for Saturday which took riders on the same route out of the casino and onto the river into Thief River Falls, but then steered them West to Warren, Minn., and the fuel stop at the Warren Country Fairgrounds. Then the riders took a loop North and further West back the fuel stop, then they went south and East back to the casino with a short run on the river near the end. Unseasonably warm weather made snow wet and sticky. Temperatures reached a high of 32 Fahrenheit and skies were fairly clear most of the day with only some hazy clouds.


DJ Ekre

The field was inverted from Day 1 and Polaris rider Gabe Bunke led the FXR Pro 600 field out of the casino and down the ditch to the river. Ekre, Cat riders Ryan Simons, Ryan Huston and Dan Ebert set a blistering pace once again with Bunke keeping within range on the time charts. Ekre entered the first fuel stop missing a brake lever after tangling with his teammate Simons and lost time installing a new lever.

"I don't know how much time I lost changing that brake lever," Ekre said. "It seemed like 10 minutes to me."

Ekre wasted no time getting back on the pace and ended Day 2 5.625 seconds ahead of second place rider Huston after Huston received penalties for two course infractions. Arctic Cat rider Cory Davis moved up to third place just over 22 seconds behind Ekre with a two day time of 5:30:37.273. After Davis came Ebert (5:31:50.806), Bunke (5:34:42.793), Cody Kallock (Arctic Cat, 5:42:24.989) and Jesse Thelen (Polaris, 5:51:29.493).


Ken Christensen

Polaris rider Ken Christensen has the lead in the Arctic FX Semi-Pro 600 class with a two-day time of 5:40:45.738. Chad Kyllo won a Jacket from FXR for logging fast time of the day in the ArcticFX Semi-Pro 600 class. Other class leaders include: D.J. Ekre, Fox Racing Shox Pro Open (5:30:14.822); Ken Christensen (5:40:45.738) AMSOIL Semi-Pro Improved; Jeff Gruhlke (6:28:06.186) Arctic Cat Expert 85 Improved; Marty Feil (6:56:56.634) Trophy 85; Ken Christensen (5:40:45.738) Stud Boy Masters 40+; Les Olson Speedwerx Masters 50+; Chris Sobeck (6:49:37.520) Orion Industries Trail; Arne Rantanen Jr. (5:52:19.585) RV Sports Vet 30+; Jolene Bute (Arctic Cat, 6:48:26.673) Powermadd Women's; Chris Hoff (Arctic Cat, 7:14:36.479) Trophy 600; Team RUSH (6:23:56.778) Team 600.


Trevor John

Day 3 of the 39th I-500 begins tomorrow at 10AM and will follow the same course riders followed on Day 1, taking them through Thief River Falls, then it will steer them East to Goodridge for a fuel stop. From there they swing North and back down to Goodridge for another fuel stop, then south and East back to the Casino. Fans who wish to follow the race can get maps at Seven Clans Casino or download them off the USCC Web site, www.usccracing.com. The race will be broadcast on KKDQ 99.3 or if you're at home you can listen online on www.usccracing.com.

Red Lake I-500 Day 2 Results (pdf)