A local team, Hoos Racing, took home the winning trophy Sunday for the 250-lap Enduro race. The team drivers consisted of LJ Quick, Jordan Carlson and Austin Leeck, although Leeck unfortunately was unable to race Sunday in the Enduro from injuries sustained from racing Saturday.

“It’s the best win of my career,” Quick said. “It’s an unreal feeling. We could not have done it without all of our sponsors.”

Tom Morgan, the owner of the team could not be reached for comment as he was celebrating with his team, sponsors, pitcrew and family. This is the first time the team has won a M.I.R.A. race.

The gatekeeper noticed a higher number of spectators at this year’s event. This was due to a number of reasons.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Racers on lap 25 of the 250 lap race on Sunday.

“The beautiful weather brought a lot of people out,” said Philip Gibbs, a Michigan native currently living in Phoenix, Arizona who came to help out for the event. “The winter storm “Olive” really assisted with the amount of snow needed for the track. Really it came down to the weather temperature falling into the single digits so we were able to make more ice this week to make the track perfect.”

Parking proved to be a challenge on Sunday. Gibbs redirected spectators to the overflow to park at Kris-Mart in Lincoln, as all the available parking at the fairgrounds was full.

“Every single spot we could fit a vehicle into has been taken inside the fairgrounds,” Gibbs said.

A first for M.I.R.A. this year was selling merchandise at the event. It proved to go over well, according to the merchandiser sales associate.

“M.I.R.A. decided to sell some swag this year as a test run,” Rhonda Reynolds said. “It has gone over really well, I would imagine that they will bring it back next year and expand it.”

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Racers slow down for a yellow caution flag during the Enduro race Sunday.

Many spectators could be seen sporting the M.I.R.A. swag. Supporters of the sport prepare to spend the day or the weekend at the event. Friends and families plan cook-outs on the hill, enjoy the company of others and the fresh crisp winter air, with the loud snowmobile engines roaring in the background.

This is the fourth year a family from downstate Michigan has ventured north to support racers as sponsors and have a weekend of fun.

“We sponsor #20, Humphert Racing.” Matt Poirier, of Fat Matt’s BBQ, said.

“It is fun, the tailgating, the people, we look forward to it every year,” Poirier’s wife Shellina said.

“White chicken chili is cooking in the crock pot, it is my homemade recipe,” Laura Poirier said.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Philip Gibbs re-routes spectators to the overflow parking at Kris-Mart in Lincoln on Sunday.

As Matt Poirier started loading up the grill with brats for his family and friends, a sea of fans, cooking food, sharing laughs and children sliding down the hill with sleds could be seen.

The warm sun shined brightly over the track with no wind on a perfect winter day.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Philip Gibbs re-routes spectators to the overflow parking at Kris-Mart in Lincoln on Sunday.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Laura Poirier, Brian Jenich (sponsor of K&M #7), Shellina and Matt Poirier (sponsor of Humphert Racing #20) having a cook-out Sunday at the races.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Rhonda Reynolds assists a customer on Sunday at the M.I.R.A. Racing merchandise trailer.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Children sled down the hill Sunday, during the snowmobile race.

News Photo by Shannon Vivero M.I.R.A. snowmobile racing pit crews are pictured Sunday

News Photo by Shannon Vivero Spectators look on during Sundays 250 lap snowmobile race in Lincoln.