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ENSENADA, Mexico — The 57th running of the SCORE Baja 500 once again demonstrated why Polaris remains one of the dominant forces in desert racing. Battling through 468 miles of Baja California’s unforgiving terrain, Polaris racers delivered a commanding performance, sweeping the overall UTV podium and capturing the top nine overall finishing positions in one of off-road racing’s most prestigious events.
Leading the charge was veteran desert racer Branden Sims, who piloted his Polaris RZR Pro R Factory to the overall UTV victory. The win marked a significant milestone for Sims, who was seeking his first SCORE victory since 2022 and achieved it in only his second race behind the wheel of the latest-generation RZR Pro R Factory race machine.
Branden Sims
Sims Executes a Perfect Baja Strategy
Unlike sprint-style racing, the Baja 500 often rewards patience and race management as much as outright speed. Sims showcased exactly that approach throughout the event.
Starting sixth off the line, Sims avoided unnecessary risks early in the race while steadily moving forward through the field. As conditions deteriorated and competitors encountered the challenges that Baja is known for, Sims remained consistent and mistake-free. His disciplined strategy ultimately positioned him to take control late in the race and secure the overall win.
The victory adds another major Baja accomplishment to an already impressive racing résumé that includes previous Baja 500 and Baja 1000 victories.
Wayne Matlock
All-Polaris Podium Highlights Brand Strength
While Sims captured the spotlight, Polaris’ overall performance may have been even more impressive.
Veteran racer Wayne Matlock fought his way forward from a ninth-place starting position to finish second overall. Joining him on the podium was Ethan Groom, who earned third place in his first season as a member of the RZR Factory Racing team.
The podium sweep highlighted the depth of talent within the Polaris racing program and showcased the competitiveness of the RZR Pro R Factory platform across multiple teams and drivers.
Ethan Groom
Polaris Locks Out the Top Nine
The dominance didn’t stop with the podium.
When the dust settled in Ensenada, Polaris racers occupied every one of the top nine overall UTV finishing positions:
- Branden Sims
- Wayne Matlock
- Ethan Groom
- Mitch Guthrie Jr.
- Dallas Gonzalez
- Joe Terrana / Rodrigo Ampudia
- Mike Cafro
- Sebastian Marquez
- Kristen Matlock
Even more impressive, the top six overall finishers were all driving Polaris RZR Pro R Factory race vehicles.
Such a performance is exceptionally rare in major off-road racing and further cements Polaris’ position at the forefront of UTV desert competition.
Branden Sims
RZR Pro R Factory Continues Winning Tradition
The Baja 500 has long served as one of the toughest proving grounds in motorsports. Vehicles must endure high-speed lakebeds, deep silt, rocky canyons, and relentless punishment over hundreds of miles.
The latest Baja result adds another chapter to the growing legacy of the RZR Pro R Factory platform. Designed specifically for top-level desert competition, the machine has quickly established itself as one of the benchmark vehicles in SCORE racing.
The ability of six RZR Pro R Factory entries to claim the top six overall finishing positions speaks not only to the vehicle’s speed but also its durability and reliability—two characteristics that are often the deciding factors in Baja competition.
Looking Ahead to Vegas to Reno
With the Baja 500 now in the books, the Polaris factory effort will shift its attention back to the United States for the 2026 Best In The Desert Vegas to Reno race, scheduled for August 12-16.
Known as one of the longest off-road races in North America, Vegas to Reno presents a different challenge than Baja, but Polaris enters the event with considerable momentum following one of the most dominant performances in recent SCORE history.
If the Baja 500 results are any indication, the RZR Pro R Factory and the Polaris racing program will once again be among the favorites when the green flag drops in Nevada.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) has been defining and redefining outdoor adventure since 1954. Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial transportation vehicles, along with an expansive portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Its lineup includes some of the most iconic brands in powersports including the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, Bennington pontoons, Slingshot, and more. Headquartered in Minnesota and serving customers in nearly 100 countries, Polaris continues to set the standard for performance, quality, and unmatched service. Explore more at www.polaris.com.
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The post Polaris Dominates the 2026 Baja 500 with Sweep of UTV Overall Podium appeared first on UTV Guide.
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