When the dust settled at the 57th SCORE Baja 500, one thing was crystal clear: Polaris continues to set the standard in UTV desert racing.
In one of the most dominant performances seen in recent Baja history, Polaris racers swept the overall UTV podium and claimed the top nine overall finishing positions in the grueling 468-mile desert classic. Leading the charge was veteran racer Branden Sims, who captured the overall victory behind the wheel of his RZR Pro R Factory.
Wayne Matlock crossed the line in second, while first-year RZR Factory Racing driver Ethan Groom completed the podium sweep in third, giving Polaris a clean sweep of the overall standings and further cementing the brand’s dominance in SCORE competition.
Branden Sims Returns to Victory Lane
For Branden Sims, the victory represented more than just another Baja trophy.
The former Baja 500 and Baja 1000 champion entered the event searching for his first SCORE win since 2022. Starting sixth on the grid, Sims stayed patient throughout the demanding race, carefully managing pace, terrain, and race strategy while avoiding the mistakes that often derail competitors in Baja.
Rather than forcing the issue early, Sims methodically worked his way through the field and kept himself within striking distance of the leaders.
As the race entered its final stages, the opportunity he had been waiting for finally arrived.
Sims capitalized, took over the lead, and never relinquished it, driving his RZR Pro R Factory to victory in only his second race with the new platform.
“Today was incredible, and it feels so good to get back on top and earn a win,” said Sims. “My new RZR Pro R Factory was absolutely dialed in and performed flawlessly all day long.”
The victory marked another milestone for both Sims and Polaris as the factory race machine continues to prove itself at the highest levels of desert competition.
All-Polaris Podium Highlights Program Depth
While Sims claimed the win, the story of the race extended far beyond the top step of the podium.
Wayne Matlock and Ethan Groom delivered equally impressive performances, charging forward from deep in the starting order to finish second and third overall.
Matlock started ninth and steadily climbed through the field over the course of the race. Groom, competing in his first season with RZR Factory Racing, also displayed remarkable maturity and consistency as he worked his way into podium position.
The result showcased not only the performance of the RZR Pro R Factory platform but also the incredible depth of talent throughout the Polaris racing program.
A Top-Nine Sweep for the Record Books
The podium sweep was only the beginning.
Polaris racers occupied every one of the top nine overall UTV finishing positions, an achievement rarely seen in modern off-road racing.
The final top-nine results included:
- Branden Sims
- Wayne Matlock
- Ethan Groom
- Mitch Guthrie Jr.
- Dallas Gonzalez
- Joe Terrana / Rodrigo Ampudia
- Mike Cafro
- Sebastian Marquez
- Kristen Matlock
The dominance extended even further as RZR Pro R Factory machines claimed the top six finishing positions overall.
Sims, Matlock, Groom, Guthrie, Gonzalez, and Terrana all piloted the championship-proven platform to top-six finishes, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most capable UTV race vehicles ever developed.
RZR Pro R Factory Continues to Raise the Bar
The Baja 500 has long been one of the toughest tests in off-road racing.
Nearly 500 miles of brutal terrain, high-speed sections, rocky canyons, and relentless punishment push both drivers and equipment to their limits.
Throughout the event, the RZR Pro R Factory demonstrated exactly why it has become the benchmark in desert racing. Its combination of speed, durability, suspension performance, and reliability allowed drivers to maintain competitive pace while surviving one of the most demanding races on the SCORE calendar.
Polaris Off Road Director of Motorsports Alex Scheuerell praised the accomplishment, noting that sweeping the podium, locking out the top nine positions, and capturing the top six spots with RZR Pro R Factory machines is a testament to the dedication and effort behind the program.
Eyes Turn Toward Vegas to Reno
With another major SCORE victory in the books, Polaris now shifts its focus stateside.
The RZR Factory Racing team will return to action August 12-16 at the legendary Best In The Desert Vegas to Reno, one of the longest and most challenging off-road races in North America.
If the Baja 500 was any indication, the competition will once again be chasing Polaris.
And right now, that appears to be a very difficult task.
For a brand that already owns an impressive legacy in desert racing, the 2026 Baja 500 may go down as one of its most dominant performances yet.
