BILSTEIN Racers Deliver Victory and Podium at the 2026 Mint 400
BILSTEIN standout performances at the legendary Great American Off-Road Race showcased race-proven suspension technology.
Las Vegas, NV — March 10, 2026: The 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400, known worldwide as “The Great American Off-Road Race,” once again delivered a brutal test of speed, endurance, and mechanical resilience across the unforgiving Nevada desert. With 544 entries spanning more than 50 racing classes, thousands of fans lining Fremont Street during race week festivities, and an estimated 65,000 spectators attending the event, the legendary race once again proved why it remains one of the most prestigious off-road competitions in North America.
Among the elite racers conquering the harsh terrain were several BILSTEIN-supported ambassadors, whose performances highlighted the durability, consistency, and high-performance engineering that continue to keep BILSTEIN WAY AHEAD in the world of off-road racing.
BILSTEIN also served as an official event sponsor, engaging fans during the weeklong celebration of off-road culture at the Mint 400 Off-Road Festival on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. At the display booth, attendees had the opportunity to see cutting-edge suspension technology firsthand, including Segway Super Villain UTVs equipped with BILSTEIN Black Hawk® Powersports shocks, showcasing the same race-proven engineering used by competitors tackling the punishing desert course.
The Mint 400’s legendary race format pushes competitors through multiple 95-mile laps of rocky canyons, silt beds, and high-speed desert sections, creating one of the most demanding proving grounds in motorsports. For racers and teams seeking the ultimate competitive advantage, suspension performance is critical and BILSTEIN technology proves itself in the harshest conditions imaginable.
Chris Forsberg Scores Class Victory in First Mint 400 Appearance
Renowned driver, car builder, and three-time Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg added another milestone to his racing resume by capturing the Class 7F victory in the 2026 Mint 400 Limited Race.
Driving his NISMO Off Road Nissan Frontier, Forsberg delivered an impressive performance in what was both his first Mint 400 start and only his fifth off-road race overall. The truck, equipped with BILSTEIN M9200 coilovers and bypass shock absorbers, proved capable of handling the brutal terrain while maintaining the consistency needed to secure the class win.
“Our first Mint 400 is in the books, and we brought home a class win. The truck ran solid all race, and we later learned it’s the first Nissan Frontier to ever podium at the Mint 400. Big thanks to our partners Nissan Off Road, NISMO Off Road, BILSTEIN, Optima, STEEL-IT, and X-Comp Tires.”
For BILSTEIN, the victory once again reinforced how race-proven suspension technology enables teams to push performance limits across one of the toughest racecourses in the sport, keeping drivers WAY AHEAD when the desert becomes unforgiving.
Zuccone Delivers Podium Performance in Segway Super Villain
In the fiercely competitive UTV Pro Stock Modified class, Jacob Zuccone and co-driver Samantha Rode secured a third-place podium finish, completing four demanding laps in 8 hours, 51 minutes, and 31.525 seconds aboard the Segway Super Villain for Segway Factory Racing equipped with BILSTEIN Black Hawk® Powersports shocks.
Zuccone commented. “Our BILSTEIN shocks were absolutely incredible all day. We were flying through the moon bumps at 65 to 70 miles an hour, floating over everything and making a lot of passes there. I have to thank BILSTEIN for all of their support, we would not be up here if it wasn’t for BILSTEIN. They are the changing pivot point of our race program and I’m truly grateful to be part of the team.”
Supporting the Future of Off-Road Racing
Beyond the racecourse, BILSTEIN continues to play a critical role in the evolution of desert racing through its involvement with the American Off-Road Racing Championship, a unified five-race points series combining the two largest off-road racing organizations, Unlimited Off-Road Racing and Best in the Desert.
The championship further reinforces BILSTEIN’s long-standing commitment to motorsports development, where racing remains one of the most important proving grounds for suspension innovation.
From the Mint 400’s punishing desert terrain to the broader world of professional off-road competition, the data and experience gained in racing continue to drive advancements in BILSTEIN suspension technology, ensuring drivers and enthusiasts alike benefit from solutions that are engineered and proven under the harshest conditions on earth.
Celebrating Excellence in the Desert
BILSTEIN congratulates Chris Forsberg, Jacob Zuccone, and all competitors who tackled the demanding 2026 Mint 400. Their determination, skill, and resilience represent the very spirit of off-road racing.
As the sport continues to grow and evolve, BILSTEIN remains proud to support the racers, teams, and series pushing the boundaries of performance, delivering suspension technology that continues to keep competitors WAY AHEAD on the world’s toughest racecourses.
To learn more about BILSTEIN products or request pricing details, please reach out to factorydirect@bilsteinUS.com.
