These races are scored by the speed with which you can reach the end of the course and catch the probe and how many of the ejected capsules you pick up along it’s path.
Upgrade your thrusters to earn the S.K.A.T.E upgrades. Use these to follow the probe quickly when it’s on the ground. Make sure to pick up all the capsules as you keep up with it.
The probe speeds up as you do, so you can only catch it at the finish line when the probe stops.