2011 Iron Dog: 2 teams scratch, Palin-Quam leading out of McGrath

28 two-man teams started out on Sunday from Big Lake in the pro class of the 2011 Iron Dog Snowmachine Race, leaving behind a festival-like atmosphere that included monster trucks and a man dressed as an Alaskan version of Bigfoot, according to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. According to the Iron Dog's official site, there has already been reason enough to scratch for two teams. Soon after leaving the starting line, Todd Minnick hit a chunk of ice at high speed and was thrown from his sled. He sustained a hematoma to his leg and hip, making movement essentially impossible due to extreme pain. Late Sunday, word came back that Minnick is now recovering at home after a hospital visit and is not facing a threat to his life. The injury was so severe, however, that he and teammate Nick Olstad decided to drop out of the race. Also scratching on the first day, due to mechanical problems, were Derrick Johnson and Steve Piper, both of Idaho. With their scratch, the pro-class field is now all-Alaskan. According to the race tracking system Monday morning, former First Dude Todd Palin and his race partner Eric Quam led the top-5 pack out of McGrath at just after 7 a.m. following a 10-hour layover.