Polvoorde claims Baja 400 pole

Christopher Polvoorde took the first step toward victory in the seventh edition of the SCORE Baja 400 by winning the Method Race Wheels qualifying session both overall and in SCORE Trophy Truck, earning the first starting position for Saturday’s race.

Polvoorde conquered the 2.65-mile qualifying course at Rancho Grijalva in Ojos Negros with a time of 3m46.920s in his No. 94 Ford Raptor Mason AWD. It marked his second consecutive pole position in the 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship after also taking the top spot for the BFGoodrich Tires 58th SCORE Baja 500 in June.

A standout behind the wheel in both off-road and short-course racing, Christopher Polvoorde is pursuing his second career SCORE Trophy Truck victory and his first SCORE Baja 400 overall win in the youngest race in the SCORE International universe.

“I had a couple of tense moments, but I’m happy. With this new rule, it’s a little scary because if you make a big mistake, you can end up in 50th place. I really enjoy the BFGoodrich tires; I think they work incredibly well down here in Baja. I love them. They feel great, and I really appreciate the support from BFGoodrich,” said Polvoorde.

Alan Ampudia, the reigning two-time SCORE Trophy Truck champion, recorded the second-fastest time in both the class and overall at 3m50.049s behind the wheel of the No. 1 Team Papas and Beer Ford Raptor Mason AWD. Ampudia is the defending overall winner of the SCORE Baja 400.

Luke McMillin was third fastest in the No. 83 McMillin Racing Ford Raptor Mason AWD, stopping the clock at 3m51.869s. McMillin currently leads the championship standings after winning the first two rounds of the season – the SCORE San Felipe 250 in San Felipe and the Baja 500.

Justin Davis topped Trophy Truck Spec, clocking a 4m01.880s in the No. 285 Green Army Motorsports TSCO-Chevy ahead of Apdaly Lopez, driving the No. 273 Brenthel-Chevy to a 4m03.538s. Cantina Racing’s Rody Amaya Jr. led SCORE Trophy Truck 2WD with a time of 4m05.714s in the No. 40T Geiser Bros Ford F-150. Supercross legend Ricky Johnson delivered another outstanding performance for Vildosola Racing, finishing 11th overall while taking the top spot in SCORE Trophy Truck Legend, the class for drivers 50 years of age and older.

In Class 1, Tim Willson was the fastest qualifier and will once again join forces with former NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan. Willson set a time of 4m11.336s in the No. 162 South Point Motorsports HSM-Chevy.

The SCORE Baja 400 will take the green flag on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 5am PT on Ensenada’s iconic Boulevard Costero, while the car and truck classes will start at 10am PT. Watch flag-to-flag coverage of the event on RACER Network and the RACER+ App, from 12:00-10:00pm ET.