About Us
Read the origin story & meet the motor heads behind the Minnesota Snow Drag Tour!
It all began in Grand Marais when Dylan went to his first snowmobile drag race…
And after having a great time, conversations and ideas began between him, Chet and John. They each decided to start racing then too. First with mild builds or stockers, but then the next year, they stepped it up. Upgrading their sleds and hitting it hard. They raced at nine events across Minnesota and Wisconsin and took home a number of wins! During that time they also began meeting other passionate people in the snowmobile drag industry—like Andy Michels, who was just starting MESC and Triplefest—and they quickly realized they wanted to be more involved. After speaking with other racers, event organizers and brands in the sport, the idea of creating a points tour was sparked.
John, Chet and Dylan worked on compiling rules and classes that would accommodate both trail riders and racers without too many classes or complications, and then presented it to MESC and Cook County Snowmobile Club. With their partnership, the Minnesota Snow Drag Tour was born! This is a passion that the guys want to see grow and expand each year, and they strive to make this points tour a fun and friendly competitive addition to the sport.
Meet the Founders
CO-FOUNDER
John Anderson
My dad, Mark Anderson, and Jim Brown got me interested in snowmobiles and racing at an early age. My drag racing career started when I was about 8 years old and it hasn't stopped since. With a few world records, countless wins, and numerous point championships, drag racing has been my go-to sport. After years of racing on the ice, I wanted to expand my racing and knowledge, so I decided to try my hand in snow drag racing. My passion for snowmobile racing has grown year by year, and I'd love to share some of that passion. This year, I hope to do just that! As a co-founder of MNSDT, I want people to become more involved. Snowmobiles are my year-round commitment, but when I'm not playing with sleds, I'm enjoying my time in my RZR or out on the lake.
CO-FOUNDER
Chet Atkinson
Although I’ve been around sleds my whole life, my dirt track racing career took up most of my time since I started as a kid in 2004. When I finally hung up my dirt track racing keys in 2019, I dove into sleds. I raced in the International Watercross Association (IWA) during the summer of 2021, and then John Anderson and Andy Michels introduced me to the sport of snow drag racing. That winter I started my business—Minnesota Motorsports and Performance—where I service and build sleds and other motorsport machines, and began building my own racing sled. I really want to see snowmobile racing stick around, so I’m hoping the MNSDT can help build the sport and community! Outside of snowmobiles, you can find me working on house projects, fishing, or planning our wedding.
CO-FOUNDER
Dylan Jeska
When I was growing up, my family and I would frequently go to the NHRA Top Fuel dragster races in Brainerd, MN. That is where my love for racing and motors was born. Over the years, I loved tinkering with different motors and machines with Chet and other friends. Then in 2021, Chet and I both decided to race in the International Watercross Association (IWA) that summer. That following winter we built our first drag sled. I first tried speed running, but quickly transitioned into snow drag and that’s where I’ve stayed. I’m excited to continue racing and building the snow drag community with the MNSDT! When it’s off season, you can find me cruising trails in my SxS.