FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dana Baynes Named 2026 ISR Racer of the Year

International Snowmobile Racing (ISR) is proud to announce Dana Baynes of Prior Lake, Minnesota, as the 2026 ISR Racer of the Year.

Baynes earned this year’s top honor through an outstanding combination of championship victories, record-setting speed, sportsmanship, and dedication to snowmobile racing.

Her 2026 grass drag season included Pro Mod championships at the Chi Town Showdown at Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wisconsin; Haydays in North Branch, Minnesota; and the Rum River Outlaw in Princeton, Minnesota.

The Chi Town Showdown victory marked her third consecutive Pro Mod championship at the event, following wins in 2024 and 2025. She also won the Rum River Outlaw in 2024 and finished runner-up at Haydays that same year.

Baynes has paired those victories with breakthrough performances. In 2024, she recorded a Pro Mod elapsed time of 3.991 seconds at 122.291 mph, becoming the first driver in Grass Pro Mod to break the four-second barrier. She also achieved the class’s first sub-one-second 60-foot time at 0.987 seconds.

Her speed run accomplishments have been equally impressive. At the 2026 Chetek Winterfest, Baynes reached 196.24 mph, earning recognition as the fastest woman in snowmobile racing. She received top-speed honors at Chetek in both 2025 and 2026, improving on her 2025 mark of 193.13 mph.

In SLSA competition, she set records of 180.65 mph at International Falls, Minnesota, in 2024, and 181.08 mph at McGregor, Minnesota, in 2025.

Beyond her competitive success, Baynes is recognized for supporting youth racing and bringing a positive attitude to the snowmobile racing community. Her achievements and commitment to the sport reflect the qualities the ISR Racer of the Year award was established to celebrate.

Since reviving the award, ISR has recognized outstanding racers including Mike Rempel, Matt Goede, and Emil Harr. Baynes continues that tradition through competitive excellence and contributions that reach beyond the finish line.

ISR congratulates Dana Baynes on being named the 2026 ISR Racer of the Year and thanks her for her dedication to snowmobile racing.