Jan 304 min read

Team LaVallee Digs for Gold at Deadwood National 🤠

Longville, MN (January 30, 2024) - Historic Deadwood, SD was the home to Rounds 4 and 5 on the Snocross National series. This was the 12th time that Snocross had come to Days of ’76 Event Complex in Deadwood. While the track is the smallest we will see throughout the season, this custom build track featured tight turns, steep jumps, and with limited areas of passing, the holeshot was key in Deadwood.

Friday, PRO Round 4 - Triple Crown Round 1

To kick things off on Friday, in Triple Crown Round 1, all 15 Pro riders lined up and were ready to put on a great show at Deadwood. Coming from the back row, Peterson and Bester had their work cut out for them. As the green light went, Peterson and Bester navigated their way through the stacked field and put the pressure on. As the clock was winding down in the 8 minute plus 1 lap final, Peterson worked his way up to an impressive 8th place spot and Bester finished out Round 1 in the 14th place spot.

Triple Crown Round 2

Due to Peterson’s 8th place finish in Round 1, Peterson had a front row gate pick, while Bester lined up in the back row for Round 2. As the green flag went for Round 2, Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and went into an early race lead. While two riders snuck around him, Peterson did not let up and continued to charge hard on the short track. As the minutes were winding down, Peterson continued to ride super consistent, while Bester had a tough off causing him to fall back. With 1 min 20 seconds to go, Peterson got tangled up into another rider, which caused him to fall back and finish out in the 7th place spot and Bester in 14th.

Triple Crown Round 3

For the final race of the night; Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sleds and again found himself towards the front of the pack. As the 8 min plus 1 lap final went on, Peterson was passed for 1st and 2nd early on but put on huge pressure to chase down that 2nd place spot. Coming from the back row, Bester was sitting in impressive 8th spot. At about the halfway point, lappers and a yellow flag caused a challenging second half of the race. As the checkered flags flew, Peterson stayed consistent for an amazing 3rd place finish and Bester ended in an exciting 7th.

Pro Round 4 Overall: Peterson 5th and Bester 11th

Saturday, PRO Round 5 - TRIPLE CROWN ROUND 1

Peterson and Bester were looking for a little redemption from the day before in Deadwood and were on the hunt for holeshots, fast lines, and consistent finishes. As the green light went for the first Pro race on Saturday, Peterson and Bester both had the challenge on their Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sleds coming from the back row. As the laps flew by, in the 8 min plus 1 lap Round 1 event, Peterson and Bester were navigating their way through and finding fast lines and were able to move their way up to 9th (Peterson) and 11 (Bester).

TRIPLE CROWN ROUND 2

As the sleds lined up for Round 2 it was Peterson in the front row and Bester in the back row. As the green light went, Peterson ripped another impressive holeshot on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and Bester came out mid pack and ready to take on the 8 minute plus 1 lap final. As the clock was winding down and the pressure was winding up, both riders were able to find fast lines and ride smart. Peterson ended Round 2 in the excellent 4th place spot and Bester finished out 11th.

TRIPLE CROWN ROUND 3

For the final race of the day in Deadwood, Peterson qualified 2nd (due to penalties from other riders in Round 2, allowing him a great gate pick) and Bester lined up in the back row. Off of the start, Peterson ripped out of the gates and was pushing for the 1st place spot but without even making it one lap, a huge crash caused the red flags to fly and an immediate pause in racing and a full restart was initiated.

After the medical hold was resumed; the field regrouped and was ready for the restart of Pro Round 5 in Deadwood. As the green light went, Peterson ripped out of the gate, earning the Studboy Holeshot, and took the far outside into the first corner and when huge off of a triple in the back section and a mis-judged landing caused Peterson to go off the track. Bester, coming from the back row was as able to sneak by and into the impressive 4th place spot. Peterson re-entered the race and put his head down to charge from the 10th place spot. As the clock was winding down and with a combination of lappers and yellow flags on the short track, Bester was able to finish out in the impressive 4th spot and Peterson rounded out in the notable 8th.

As the tallies were added up; Peterson finished overall Triple Crown Round 5 in the excellent 4th place spot and Bester in the 10th.

Saturday, PRO AM PLUS 30 - ROUND 4

PRO AM Plus rider, Andy Lieders, did not race the Deadwood, SD National.