Winners Find Ways

About Winners Find Ways

Winners Find Ways brings you authentic motorsports conversations with racers, builders, and industry leaders. From snowmobiles to dirt bikes, entrepreneurs to business owners—every episode proves that winners always find a way.

Publisher

Austin Leeck & Trevor Davidson

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

26 Aug 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 8 - Todd Krikke

   Shoutout to TJ Hoes State Farm in Alpena, MITodd Krikke has spent decades doing the impossible at full throttle - and he reveals how a kid on dirt bikes became a snowmobile legend, a track-record holder, and one of the sharpest setup minds in ice oval racing.In this episode of Winners Find Ways, Austin Leeck and Trevor Davidson sit down with the three-time I-500 winner, I-500 track-record holder, and five-time MIRA Pro Enduro points champion for a deep, funny, and brutally honest look at the golden era of snowmobile racing. Todd Krikke walks through the first sleds he raced, the muddy chaos of his early Soo I-500 outings, and the moment he realized he could make a living by thinking differently about speed, handling, and race-day preparation.You'll discover:How Todd went from backyard laps and dirt bikes to racing the Soo at just 18Why the Troy Pierce years changed everything for him, and how a 50-pound weight difference forced constant compromise in sled setupThe exact build philosophy behind the legendary 1998 Soo track-record run, including weight distribution, carbide changes, suspension tweaks, and why the sled was so fast yet so manageableWhat made the Yamaha years so wild, from custom billet spindles and prototype rear suspensions to 560-pound race trim and 180-horsepower mod motorsHow Todd and his team used driver feedback, feel, and relentless testing to turn unfinished machines into winning packagesAustin and Trevor also dig into Todd’s most memorable I-500 moments, the brutal snowdust races that left drivers mentally fried, the infamous pileups and broken tracks that changed everything in seconds, and the evolution of the Soo from wide-open dominance to today’s brutally competitive, mistake-free racing.Todd Krikke is a Hall of Fame-level ice oval racer and tuner, known for his record-setting runs, long partnership with Troy Pierce, and decades of hands-on engineering that shaped some of the most iconic sleds in the sport.Austin and Trevor bring the perspective of two kids who grew up watching the legend, then later got to feel firsthand just how precise his setups really are.If you love snowmobile racing, race history, or the behind-the-scenes engineering that separates a fast sled from a winning one, this one is essential listening. Todd’s stories are funny, technical, and packed with the kind of detail only a true lifer can tell - and by the end, you’ll understand why so many racers still call on him to make sense of the track.Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: Q10IWIK3LWBWMZNZ, T4LUK5MDBTZTQJG3, VYF4LSHMWTIV5SPO

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 7 - Taylor Bunke

   Taylor Bunke has four I-500 wins, but this conversation is really about what makes winners keep finding ways - family, pressure, and the relentless learning curve of ice oval and XC racing. From growing up around Pro Five in Roseau to chasing points in semi pro and finally breaking through at Pine Lake, Taylor Bunke shares the moments that shaped one of the sport’s most recognizable names. If you care about snowmobile racing, cross country strategy, or what it really takes to stay fast when the sled, the conditions, and the rules keep changing, this one’s packed with insight. You’ll discover: Why the I-500 still stands as the ultimate test of speed, control, and nerve How the Bunke family turns race weekends into a full operation, from meal planning to pit support What the jump from sport to semi pro really changes Why Taylor says the 136/137 track length was a game-changer for their race program How content like the mini mic and vlogs are helping bring cross country racing to a bigger audience We break down the realities behind the highlight reels too - flat light, finger drifts, road approaches at nearly 100 mph, and the kind of setup tradeoffs that can make or break a race. Taylor also reflects on Munising, the Upper Peninsula, and why the community around these events matters just as much as the podium. Essential listening if you love snowmobile racing, family-run teams, or the behind-the-scenes mindset of a four-time I-500 winner who still approaches every season like there’s more to prove. Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: T4LUK5MDBTZTQJG3, VYF4LSHMWTIV5SPO

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 6 - Rob Mason

   Rob Mason has spent a lifetime inside the most competitive corners of snowmobiling, and the stories he tells here explain why the 90s were a true golden era. From Arctic Cat’s rise to the underground salvage world, from wild race builds to the brutal realities of the I-500 and the Soo, this episode is a front-row seat to the era that shaped modern power sports. Austin and Trevor sit down with Rob Mason—longtime Arctic Cat district sales manager, racer, and power sports lifer—for a conversation packed with insider history, hard-earned opinions, and unforgettable trackside moments. Rob breaks down how he got his start at Arctic Cat, why passionate people were often pushed out, and what it was really like building and funding race teams in a time when parts, support, and speed all lived in a gray area.You'll discover: How Rob went from racing three-wheelers and watercraft to running Enduro and ice oval teams Why the Arctic Cat salvage system was a parts gold mine for racers The story behind the Firecat-bodied triple that reportedly hit 131 mph before a catastrophic tech-shack failure What made the Soo, the I-500, and the Fabulous February series so brutally competitive Why fewer rules often create better racing, stronger teams, and more innovation Trevor and Austin also dig into the evolution of snowmobile technology, the stock motor debate, why modern sleds are so much more durable, and how rules changes have reshaped everything from Snowcross to Enduro. Rob's take is blunt, funny, and deeply informed—especially when he explains why the best racing series are still the ones that leave room for builders, tuners, and risk-takers to do their thing.The episode also goes deep on Rob's biggest legacy: helping shape Zak Mason's racing career. From hauling a three-month-old Zak on a Thundercat to building a home practice track, pushing him through junior classes, and watching him win at Duluth and Ironwood, Rob shares the father-son moments that made the whole journey worth it. If you love snowmobile racing, garage stories, or the kind of conversation only lifelong insiders can have, this one is essential listening. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: T4LUK5MDBTZTQJG3, VYF4LSHMWTIV5SPO

4. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 5 - MIRA, I-500, & NPRP Talk

   The ice racing calendar is getting a major shakeup, and if you follow snowmobile racing, this episode is packed with the kind of details that could change where and how you race next season. Austin and Trevor break down the biggest schedule moves at MIRA, the growing buzz around Northern Power Race Park, and the logistics, politics, and performance questions behind a possible new Enduro at the Soo I-500 facility.The conversation starts with MIRA, where the standout change is the Gaylord format. Explaining why Friday-Saturday racing under the lights could make the venue even more appealing, why the 300-lap Enduro makes sense on a short track, and why a fifth race at the I-500 site is still very much a working idea. From there, the discussion turns to the real-world challenges behind building a five-eighths-mile course through the Sioux infield, including wet ground, elevation changes, and the timing of a possible go/no-go decision.You’ll discover:Why Gaylord may become one of the most attractive stops on the winter scheduleWhat makes Lincoln, Kinross, and Gaylord so different for racers and teamsHow Northern Power’s split-program format keeps race days shorter and more manageableWhat the Snowcross World Cup and Border Cup actually are, and how membership-based racing works thereHow the new Ditch Banger Snow Enduro could work as a high-bank, run-what-you-brung winter chaos raceWe get into the nuts and bolts of what it takes to survive a long snowmobile endurance event, from sled setup and brake wear to fuel, tech inspection, and why the wrong machine could be a liability by lap 50. He and the host also compare the tactics, prep, and luck factor that separate contenders from everyone else at the Sioux I-500, one of the toughest and most unforgiving races in the sport.If you want the latest on Michigan ice oval racing, regional snowcross, and the events everyone will be talking about this winter, this one is essential listening. Perfect for racers, crew members, and anyone who wants to know what’s really coming next on the snowmobile calendar.

5. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 4 - Ivan Hansen

   Ivan Hansen didn’t just race snowmobiles - he helped define an era where wins were earned by grit, mechanics, and pure nerve. From farm-field laps before the school bus to factory-backed battles with Pro-5 and Arctic Cat, his story is packed with the kind of behind-the-scenes racing lore most fans never hear. In this episode, Austin and Trevor sit down with Ivan for a no-holds-barred ride through the golden age of ice oval and enduro racing. Ivan breaks down how he got hooked as a kid, how he went from trail riding in Long Rapids to winning stock and Pro Am championships, and how one wild opportunity put him in the middle of the Pro-5 underground - where parts were sourced, sleds were tuned, and every detail mattered. You'll discover: How Ivan went from a self-taught weekend racer to a championship contender What it was like running Pro-5 sleds before he even knew how to clutch one The conditioning routine that let him outlast rivals on 300- and 400-lap race stints Why dual brakes, 12-inch and 14-inch carbide, and body English could make or break a race The wild, real-life moments behind the 500, including a Frostbite-fueled March to victory and the kind of pit chaos that would never happen today Ivan also shares how factory support worked in the 90s, what contingency money really meant, and why some of the fastest sleds on the ice were built with equal parts ingenuity and scrap-yard creativity. Trevor, Ivan, and the Austin also dig into the broader culture of the sport - the late nights, the rivalries, the respect, and the brutal honesty that made that generation unforgettable. Then comes the story everyone talks about: Ivan’s mountain lion hunt in Nevada. What starts as a hunting trip turns into one of the most unbelievable stories you'll hear anywhere - complete with a cave, two lions, a busted plan, and a result so wild it sounds made up until you realize it actually happened. Essential listening if you love snowmobile racing, old-school motorsports, or hearing from the people who built legends the hard way. Ivan Hansen’s episode is packed with speed, survival, and stories you’ll be repeating long after it ends.

6. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 3 - Todd Clyne & Shane Jackson

   The Polaris wedge era is having its moment, and Todd Clyne and Shane Jackson are two of the biggest reasons why. From rare 90s triples and no-excuses restorations to the parts, pipes, dash plates, and builds that keep these sleds alive, this conversation is packed with the kind of insider knowledge that makes collectors, racers, and vintage snowmobile fans lean in. Todd and Shane have each built a reputation as go-to voices in the Polaris world - Todd through his wildly popular YouTube channel and unforgettable triple builds, Shane through Wedge Life, his parts network, and the dash plates and apparel that helped turn a niche obsession into a real community. Together, they break down how they got into snowmobiling, what first hooked them on Polaris, and why the 90s wedge sleds keep climbing in value.You'll discover: How Todd went from hauling old sleds apart in the shop to building show-stopping XCRs and giveaway machines Why Shane's parts knowledge and Wedge Life brand made him a trusted name for hard-to-find Polaris pieces The story behind legendary builds like Thing One and Thing Two, the 21-cylinder salute, and the 73 Starfire that became one of Shane's toughest projects What it actually costs in time, money, and labor to build a clean vintage sled from the ground up Why both men believe the Polaris wedge is becoming the snowmobile equivalent of a Hemi Cuda or square-body Chevy They also get real about the changing market, the parts that are getting impossible to find, and the creative hustle it takes to keep these machines alive without pricing regular riders out of the hobby. If you've ever hunted Facebook Marketplace for a sleeper sled, argued about the best Polaris engine ever made, or wanted to know which wedge is the most collectible, this one hits all the right nerves. This episode also goes deeper than metal and horsepower. Todd and Shane talk about giving away sleds to kids, working with local clubs, and why getting the next generation involved matters more than flexing a perfect restoration. That mix of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and community is exactly why their followings keep growing.Essential listening if you love 90s snowmobiles, vintage Polaris triples, or the people keeping the hobby alive for the next generation. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: UWAIALJLQWLA2IYG

7. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 2 - LJ Quick

   This week on Winners Find Ways, we’re joined by a great friend of the show, LJ Quick of Hoos Racing, Team #67! LJ takes us deep into his racing journey, sharing stories from his years in motocross and snowmobile racing and the experiences that have shaped him both on and off the track. From the early days of throwing a leg over a dirt bike to the intensity and challenges of snowmobile racing, LJ gives us an inside look at what it takes to compete, improve, and keep pushing forward. We talk about his career, the highs and lows of racing, the people who have helped him along the way, and the mindset that keeps him chasing the next win. LJ is not only a talented racer, but a really good friend of the Winners Find Ways family, which makes this conversation one of our favorites. Sit back and enjoy an in-depth conversation with LJ Quick — Hoos Racing #67. 🏁 Winners Find Ways. Because winners don’t wait for the way — they find it. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: FU3AWZYS5N1AVNDZ

8. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Winners Find Ways: Ep. 1 - The Intro

   Episode 1 of Winners Find Ways is finally here! Austin and Trevor reminisce about the beginning stages of friendship, talk about what the show is intended to be about, and some stories from the past. Snowmobiles are cool. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: FU3AWZYS5N1AVNDZ

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Winners Find Ways

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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