Story & Photos: Emily Wicklund
With temps reaching -32 in Park Rapids, Minnesota, the USXC circuit hunkered down to complete the Heartland 200, their first terrain race of the season. Drivers covered their faces in duct tape, turned their hand warmers on and tackled the 125-mile course. The terrain was made up largely of wooded trails and small ditch sections which was rough on a large amount of riders. The two-day event utilized an I 500 format with all riders taking off together and results based on a total of both days. All pro riders were eager to capture the win and claim the coveted neon Heartland 200 sign.
On Saturday, Zach Herfindahl came out with the early race lead with Re Wadena following closely behind. 2018 Pro Stock points champion Aaron Christianson had his weekend cut short after getting cut off and totaling his sled in the first 10 miles of the race. Herfindahl continued to lead rider to the fuel stop with Wedena, and Selby behind him. Herfindahl stretches his lead to almost 3 minutes over Wadena as they finish day one. Selby, Erdman (on his 4-stroke), and Tate being the top Polaris rounding out the top 5 (in time).
On Sunday, Herfindahl took off with an almost 3 minute lead in front of Wadena. Early into day two, Ross Eardman, who was running 4th had an off and was out of the race. With Erdman out of the running, Hetteen (winner of Pine Lake and last years Heartland 200) moved into the top 5.
Herfindahl continued to stretch out his lead to 4 minutes coming into the fuel stop with a battle brewing behind him. Wes Selby and Re Wadena come into the fuel stop simultaneously.
Herfindahl continues to lead the second half of day two and wins the Heartland 200 in Pro Open and Pro Stock. Selby managed to get around Wadena and take the 2nd spot putting Wadena in 3rd for an all Arctic Cat podium. Pro Open finished similar except Tate finishing in 3rd. Ean Voigt took the win in the Semi-Pro class with Tyler Oettinger in 2nd and Dan Revering in 3rd.
