A year after the race was shortened to 282 laps due to visibility issues on the track, the 2016 International-500 Snowmobile Race got a full day and all 500 laps in on Saturday.
The 48th annual event, held in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, wrapped up Saturday evening with the Team Polaris/Bunke Racing Team of Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen and Taylor Bunke taking the checkered flag following the 500-mile race.
The win marks the sixth career I-500 title for Gabe Bunke, a Moorhead, MN native while Christensen picks up his fourth victory.
For Taylor Bunke, it’s his first win at the annual event.
Bunke Racing, who also won the event three times between 2012 and 2014, finished third in the 2015 event.
The Christian Brothers Racing team of Brian Dick and Wes Selby finished second after placing first a year ago.
Kovar Racing’s Dan Maki and Billy Travis placed third.
The top three sleds were the only ones to finish on the lead lap, while 26 of the 38 sleds finished at least 440 laps.
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