Driving his Polaris-sponsored RZR XP 1000, Cody Rahders took a second-place finish in Round 7 of the Lucas Oil Regional Series and won his second consecutive Production 1000 class title. This is Rahders fourth title in three years at the Regionals and seventh since he started racing side-by-sides in 2007.
Starting in the qualifier, Rahders didnt take any chances and ran easy laps where he qualified third for the main however, he missed post qualification tech and was moved to last place for the start of the main.
“Brain fade. I was thinking about how I should race going into the main and drove right past tech, the penalty made the decision for me,” said Rahders.
Starting in last place for the Production 1000 main event, as the pack pushed wide into turn one, Rahders took the low line and passed four cars right off the start. By the end of lap one, he was eighth, end of lap two he was in fourth and by lap six, he was in second.
As the laps wore down, Rahders made a move for the lead but with near contact in a couple of the turns he decided to wait for the last lap, ride the leaders rear bumper and hopefully force a mistake. The mistake never came and Rahders finished nose to tail with the race winner over the finish line.
“That was the most fun Ive had in a long time! Starting last was a relief, I would have started third but instead to playing defense for 12 laps I got to drive relaxed, work the pack and hope my momentum carried me to the win,” said Rahders. “Once the second place in points car broke I wanted the win but didnt have to anymore so I just kept the pressure on the leader hoping to force a mistake. In the end the title was more important.”
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all- terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel, and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.
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