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Updated 03/16/05 Reprinted from The Action News and the Direct Line

Eckstrom Takes Pro Stock Victories in Valcourt and Buffalo

With two races remaining, D.J. Eckstrom remains on track to win a snocross title.

D.J. Eckstrom wins in Valcourt and Buffalo.

Eckstrom flying high with victories for Team AMSOIL.

Team AMSOIL snocross star D.J. Eckstrom started the 2004-2005 WSA snocross season with a dominating Pro Open victory at the AMSOIL Duluth National in Duluth, Minn. It's been an up and down year since then, but with three podium finishes in the Pro Open class and four podium finishes in the Pro Stock class, he remains in solid contention for a title.

Heading into the Ski-Doo Grand Prix de Valcourt in Valcourt, Quebec, Eckstrom was determined to close in on superstar Blair Morgan for the Pro Open and Pro Stock points lead. A win en each class and a less-than-stellar performance by Morgan would successfully vault Eckstrom to the top of the standings. However, Morgan would see his quest for two more championships end in his first qualifying race. Misjudging a jump, Morgan crashed his sled, only to have it land on him and break his leg. He is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Morgan's accident leaves both the Pro Open and Pro Stock point races up for grabs. After strong fourth and fifth place finishes in his first two Pro Stock qualifying races, Eckstrom took first in the last qualifier. In the main even, Eckstrom took charge and took the checkered flag.

Two rounds of WSA racing took place in Buffalo, N.Y. during the weekend of February 26-27. Eckstrom followed up his dominating Pro Stock victory in Valcourt with another first place podium finish at the U.S. Air Force Eastern National on February 26, and he earned a second place Pro Open podium finish at the U.S. Air Force Buffalo National on February 27. He currently holds second place in the overall Pro Stock standings and third in the overall Pro Open standings.

Unfortunately, the season is over for Eckstrom's teammate, Carl Schubitzke. A crash in his first Pro Open qualifying race in Valcourt resulted in a broken arm.

Team AMSOIL Rules Supercross Opener

Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco finish first and second in the 2005 Supercross opening race in Anaheim.

Kevin Windham takes a first in Anaheim.

Mike LaRocco takes a second place finish in Anaheim.

The always highly anticipated Supercross season opener took place on January 8 in Anaheim, Calif., and this year's opener generated extra media attention. Three-time champion Ricky Carmichael, who missed the entire 2004 season due to injury, was back and ready to begin his quest for a fourth title, seven-time champion Jeremy "The King" McGrath was in the pits ready to begin his own comeback after three years of retirement and 125 superstar James "Bubba" Stewart was set to make his 250 debut. Although most of the publicity surrounded Carmichael, McGrath, Stewart and 2004 champion Chad Reed before the race, Team AMSOIL stars Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco were the racers in the spotlight by the end of the day.

Rain began pounding the Anaheim area four days before the race, continuing into the weekend and making for some very sloppy and challenging track conditions. Both Windham and LaRocco qualified in the top three of their heat races and got off to quality starts in the main event, with Windham in second place and LaRocco in fifth after the first lap. With riders struggling to keep their bikes upright and running through the mud, both Windham and LaRocco skillfully maneuvered their bikes with the confidence of veterans.

When leader Ricky Carmichael took a spill, Windham grabbed the lead and didn't give it up, despite stalling his bike on the ninth lap. Carmichael continued to have trouble on the muddy track, giving LaRocco enough of an opening to make a great move and grab second place behind teammate Windham. Windham and LaRocco Finished first and second, with Carmichael finishing third.

"There were times where I didn't know where I was at," said Windham after the race. "For the first half of the race, I knew where I was, but after I got up from my crash, I was just focused on getting the bike started and getting pointed in the right direction. They (the mechanics) were just pointing at their heads, telling me to think and I didn't know where I was. They did a good job, because it was a tough race, and any time you have three guys on the podium, who at some point in the race none of them knew who would be up here, that pretty much tells you all you need to know."

"I was pretty much just planning on staying up," said LaRocco. "These guys were riding, in my opinion, crazy for the mud, and I knew that I wasn't going to do that. I just took the slow route and tried to stay up so that I wouldn't have issues like muddy grips and more problems than we all already had. This race was about survival and just staying up. There wasn't one time that I tried to take the slow and deliberate approach."

The team AMSOIL 125 team also raced well in Anaheim, with new team racer Tommy Hahn earning a fourth place finish.

Update:
Kevin Windham continued to race strong in Supercross rounds two and three, earning a second place podium finish in Phoenix and a third place podium finish at Anaheim II. He currently holds second in the overall standings. Mike LaRocco finished 15th in Phoenix and forth at Anaheim II, and holds fifth in the overall standings.

LaRocco will get a loft from this CAT skid steer presented by AMSOIL.

LaRocco Rides Team AMSOIL Bike to Pinnacle of Supercross

LaRocco has support from two families, his own family (shown with wife Beth and son Ryder) and his extended racing family including AMSOIL.

Mike LaRocco isn't a big talker. He learned early in his career to let his riding speak for itself. After 17 years his accomplishments are deafening.

LaRocco reached an incredible milestone at the AMA/THQ Supercross at Daytona last March. When he lined up in the gate for the final, he set the bar at an unprecedented level. "The Rock" made his 200th supercross main event. No rider is even close...and LaRocco, age 33, is still racing.

To reach this mark, a rider would have to avoid serious injury and make every main for more than 12 years. Most riders today can't physically or mentally take the abuse week after week, year after year.

A week later at St. Louis, LaRocco was recognized for his achievement. Flanked by family, friends and sponsors, LaRocco stood on a podium in the middle of the track where he was presented with several gifts.

Included in the ceremony was AMSOIL, which along with the team's title sponsors Honda and Factory Connection, presented LaRocco with a Caterpillar Skid Steer. It's what you give a guy who has everything including his own practice tracks. A stunned LaRocco thanked AMSOIL, his sponsors and all the fans for their support. AMSOIL has been a proud sponsor since 1998. LaRocco went on to make his 201st final.

Mike LaRocco wins the Indianapolis Supercross in front of his hometown fans.

Encore, Encore...

Who says LaRocco never smiles?

So what does Mike LaRocco do as an encore to his career accomplishments? He adds another achievement. A win.

LaRocco went to Indianapolis to race for his fellow Hoosiers. The goal is always to win, but winning comes harder as you get older and the competitors become faster and younger. But you can't discount wisdom.

LaRocco is known as a slow starter from the gate. His trademark is his dogged determination to get to the front after beginning back in the pack.

With 50,000 people on their feet, LaRocco leapt from the start on his AMSOIL/Chaparral/Factory Connection Honda and never looked back. He grabbed the holeshot and was gone.

The crowd was deafening. The AMSOIL bike was in front. Like a wave, fans roared with admiration and appreciation as LaRocco made lap after lap.

The sound never diminished and "The Rock" never slowed up. LaRocco called the win,"...up there with the greatest moments..." of his illustrious career.

Kevin Windham is the new guy for AMSOIL and is punishing the competition.

Winning With Windham

Kevin Windham Steps Into Ring for AMSOIL

All good fighters have a lethal combination. Look at Team AMSOIL/Chapparal/Honda like the king the motocross ring with Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham as the one-two punch.

For years LaRocco has reigned as champ for AMSOIL. His never-say-quit style makes him a favorite with peers and fans. He delivers the jabs and delivers for AMSOIL. The Rock pummels all comers right in the kisser with his relentless, hard-grinding riding style. His name and the #5 plate on his two-stroke Honda are synonymous with excellence, determination...and AMSOIL synthetic lubricants. The two-time national motocross, US Open supercross and world champion has taken his shots, too. But he keeps getting up.

Team owner Rick Zielfelder came up with the right balance to LaRocco's style with the addition of Kevin Windham. Windham is the hook to LaRocco's jabs. His get-out-fast, free-wheeling style is smooth as glass on the track.

Mike LaRocco continues to be the champ for AMSOIL.

After missing considerable time due to injury, Windham came out swinging in the 2003 U.S. outdoor nationals against the undisputed champ, Ricky Carmichael. Windham won back-to-back rounds seven and eight. That got everyone's attention. Windham went on to finish second overall for the season, but he, and AMSOIL, actually came away winners.

Prior to the 2004 supercross season Windham signed a multi-year contract to race for Team AMSOIL. He's riding a four-stroke Honda with AMSOIL motorcycle oil in the 250 class of the AMA/THQ Supercross...and winning. Windham has posted victories in two rounds thus far and is within striking distance of winning it all.

Like the "sweet science" of boxing, if a fighter keeps an eye on one hand he'll not see the other one coming. That's LaRocco. While Windham is capturing attention, LaRocco is walloping the field. He finished on the podium after three of the first six events. His relentless pursuit backs the competition into the corner. No one is counting him out yet.

If you are looking for the AMSOIL knock-out blow consider Travis Preston. Preston is only a year removed from his 125 West supercross championship. Last season he was runner-up. He's coming back from knee surgery, but looks to have the legs to challenge for a championship again.

The competition is down and bing counted out. AMSOIL is clearly becoming the undisputed champion.

Tate can't wait for another shot a X Games immortality.

AMSOIL Shows Why It's the First Choice

Success of Snocross Spreads to Recreational Snowmobilers

What do snocross fans across the country come out to see? Action and Winners. Team AMSOIL is providing both. The premiere team and premiere two-cycle oil of snocross are turning heads, winning over fans and converting the skeptics. Engine failures happen to other teams, but not to AMSOIL/Polaris/Scheuring Speed Sports. Fans, generally recreational snowmobilers, and even other teams are noticing...and changing their oil.

Eckstrom looks to medal again at Winter X.

The most visible step in the process of getting the AMSOIL name out there is the "Dynamic Duo." DJ Eckstrom and Justin Tate are ripping up the World Snowmobile Association. Let's start with round one in Duluth. Bing. Eckstrom gets to the podium with a third place. The guys enter a non-points tune-up event with all the pros in action. Bang. Tate finishes in second place. Round two WSA Snocross World Championship racing goes north to Winnipeg. Boom. DJ and JT finish second and third and truth be known, without a couple of bad breaks they would have waxed the field. Eckstrom continues his spectacular run in round three at Hill City. Blast. He takes another third. It's onto round four in Shawano and ...Slam, Eckstrom is on the podium again.

All the while the duo is moving up in the overall points chase with eyes on the prize for overall titles. After five official WSA events the team is at the top of their game and the standings.

A galvanizing moment of the season's first half was the utter dominance of Team AMSOIL at the World Snowmobile Championships. Wammo. Eckstrom earned three wins and a second while Tate grabbed a win and four seconds. Are you getting the picture?

Let's add three second places for Eckstrom along with a third and a fourth from Tate in two Super Snowcross Tour indoor events presented by AMSOIL. Oh and by the way, let's not forget Tate's silver medal hillcross performance at the 2004 ESPN Winter X Games. Ka-Pow.

The formula is simple - fans like action and winners. Team AMSOIL gives plenty of both and two great reasons for switching to AMSOIL 2-cycle oils.

DJ Eckstrom had another strong season. Ten podium finishes in 10 events.

Justin Tate won the Pro Stock event at Green Bay.

Team AMSOIL Goes to Podium Early and Often in '03-'04

Team AMSOIL is a bright star for Polaris snowmobiles. The team has the U.S. Air Force flying high. Riders DJ Eckstrom and Justin Tate are studs to Woody's, a traction and control products company. All sponsors of the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports snocross team are ecstatic with results of the season. And why shouldn't they be. AMSOIL has one of the most revered and successful snowmobile racing programs and proved it again this season.

DJ Eckstrom finished the season third overall in Pro Open of the World Snowmobile Association's Snowmobile Worldwide Championship. He also finished fourth by a slim four points in Pro Stock. Eckstrom stood on the podium 10 times in 10 events. Nice ratio. He finished in the top three seven times in Pro Open and three times in Pro Stock.

Justin Tate battled injuries and untimely breakdowns to end the year with very respectable seventh place Pro Open and eighth place Pro Stock overall finishes. Tate had two Pro Stock podiums including a remarkable victory at Green Bay, Wisc.

Eckstrom took home the championship in the Super Snocross Stadium Tour and Tate won a silver medal at the ESPN Winter X Games in Hillcross after taking several stitches below an eye.

Looking ahead, Polaris has agreed to be on board for another three years. Earlier this fall, AMSOIL and team owner Steve Scheuring agreed to a deal. A deal with the riders should come shortly after the season.

A microcosm of the WSA season was the year's final event, round 10, at Lake Geneva, Wis. There were promises of perfection, glimmers of gold and splintered spirits.

DJ Eckstrom entered the Pro Open final as top qualifier. On his prototype "Fusion" Polaris he dominated the field. By the final, late in the day, with cold temps and a howling wind, the track had deteriorated to ice pellets. The roost kicked up the the sleds was enormous. Eckstrom got the holeshot and led the pack. The overall title at this point wasn't mathematically out of reach. While caught in a "canyon" of loose snow Eckstrom was passed never to recover. Tate's fate was different, but the results similar.

It was a whole different story in Pro Stock. No holeshot this time, but Eckstrom was right on the snow flap of the leader. Lap after lap he stayed ready to strike. By mid-race, though, the uphill chutes and monster downhill runs couldn't be overcome. Still, Eckstrom magnificently negotiated his sled to second place. That's the kind of racer he is and that's the level of determination expected from Team AMSOIL. It's reflective of the commitment and quality one can expect from AMSOIL.

The hood says it all.

Richard Petty with Ollie

You Go Girl!

Ollie Ernstberger is a woman driver in a man's world. She doesn't expect any favors and if you giver her an inch on the track she'll blow right by.

Ollie and husband Charles are AMSOIL Dealers from Salem, Ind. They're serious about their racing and the quality of AMSOIL products. They don't have a big-time budget so they make things last. Like their car's engine.

They ran 24 races last year and had zero, nada, ziltch, zip trouble with the motor. "Other teams want to run AMSOIL 20W-50 Racing Oil in their cars, but say it's too expensive. We explain it's less expensive than a blown engine," said Ollie.

Good luck to KCK Motorsports in 2004.

It takes more than luck for the number 13 car. It takes AMSOIL synthetic lubricants.