SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1540550
LEADING THE FIELD Can-Am’s Kaden Wells Is Leading In Overall Points By Larry Saavedra Photos by Get Some Photo Can-Am factory-supported racer Kaden Wells has strategically put himself as the Season Overall and UTV Overall points leader after winning the SCORE Pro UTV Forced Induction class title at the 6th SCORE Baja 400. “We’re leading the SCORE season points overall in all classes and that’s cool,” he said. “But one little thing at the upcoming SCORE Baja 1000 can make it all vanish. My car is getting faster and faster, and I still haven’t found the limit of it. I’m pushing it harder, but I think I can make up more time with the next setup.” Although Wells talks about pushing it harder, he’s careful not to take it over the top. In fact, Wells says he’s throttled back on several races this year when he’s clearly had the lead outright. “I’d rather play it safe.” At the SCORE Baja 400, he lost the lead at mile-marker 67 after refueling, but quickly regained the lead in class and caught up to the SCORE Trophy Truck Specs and Legends. “It was super dusty,” said Wells. “Once the sun went down, whatever you could see was what you were driving on. This was a tough race; the entire course was rough. Near the finish, there was no wind or anything, so the dust was just sitting there waiting for you to drive through it.” Mechanically, his Can-Am Maverick performed perfectly. “I didn’t get out of the car once,” he said. “The Can-Am did suddenly shut down like it did during the 2025 SCORE Baja 500, but I recycled it and got it running quickly. We tried to get this ongoing problem resolved before the race, but didn’t have time. It could be due to elevation changes and the turbo wastegate. I hope to have this figured out before the final race.” Can-Am engineers have been chasing the problem, but apparently, the Maverick isn’t throwing any codes. Wells feels confident it will be resolved. “I’m planning on getting a new drivetrain, turbo, and freshening it up from end to end before the SCORE Baja 1000.” To extend the time between refueling stations, Wells may install a larger fuel system for the upcoming SCORE Baja 1000. • Wells and navigator Emma Cornwell at the finish According to Can-Am racers like Wells, the car’s 7-speed transmission is a huge advantage in Baja, where terrain changes happen so quickly. “You don’t have to worry about belt issues and overheating, and it makes a difference to be able to downshift into the corners and through the silt,” he said. Overall, Wells believes the suspension doesn’t need any service and is working perfectly, so he won’t change a thing for the SCORE Baja 1000. “I hit a big rock after some sand whoops, and that scared me,” he said. “I figured it was the end of my race, but luckily it hit mostly on the tire and not the components.” Unlike last year’s race, however, Wells is not planning on driving the No. 2935 Can-Am solo. He still hasn’t revealed who the co-drivers will be. SJ