BEST IN THE DESERT Polaris RZR Mint 400 March 12, 2016

Cognito Motorsport’s Lambert, who in the process won his third consecutive Pro Production race, thanked Sims for his help. In fact, the two celebrated on the podium together.

Pushing the 1,900lb Polaris RZR across the finish line took it toll on Lambert & Sims as they caught their breathe after crossing the finish line for finish that will go down in the Mint 400 History books

“Pushing a 1,900-pound car with two guys after six hours in the desert is tough,” said Lambert. “We pushed it about halfway to the finish line. We took a break, and just then Sims and his co-driver ran over and helped us push it the last little bit to the finish.”

Sims is a veteran of the Mint 400 course, but running the opposite direction forced him to completely re-learn the layout.

Branden Sims celebrated the Polaris RZR Mint 400 Overall win with his friends & family on the podium & received a $1,000 check from Method Wheels for the Win

“This was a like a new course to me this year,” said Sims. “We usually run clockwise and this time we ran it counter clockwise. I remembered certain sections, but it was still a new race to me. This is the one I wanted. I’m pretty sure this is the big one for Best in the Desert.”

But the camaraderie didn’t end with the winners. The runner-up finishers shared more than just podium finishes. They also share a life together. Husband and wife Wayne and Kristen Matlock finished second in Pro Turbo and Pro Production, respectively.

Terabbit /Maxxis' Wayne & Kristen Matlock each took 2nd place finishes with Wayne finishing 2nd in the Turbo Class & his wife, Kristen, finishing 2nd in the Pro Production Class

“I’m more excited for her taking second than for me,” said Wayne Matlock. “This is just her second race in BITD and her third race period. Here she beat out 48 guys. She finished second in class to Justin Lambert and that guy rips. She’s done it twice in a row. The first time she did it, they might have thought it was a fluke. It’s not a fluke after the Mint 400.”

Terabbit /Maxxis' Wayne Matlock finished 2nd Overall

The Matlock’s celebrated their finishes together on the podium. “I can’t believe this…I’m so excited,” exclaimed Kristen Matlock. “My husband had a great race. He finished second in class. We both finished second, we finished the Mint 400 and I’m super happy.”

Terabbit /Maxxis' Kristen Matlock claimed her second straight 2nd place finish in the Pro Production Class