The top tier of racing at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series are obviously the V8-powered Pro 2 and Pro 4 classes, but there is plenty of exciting racing to be had elsewhere as well. At round one, some questions were answered in both the Pro Lite and Super Lite classes, but many more emerge as we head to round two at Speedworld this weekend!
In Pro Lite, Chris Brandt was consistent at the front of the pack at round one, scoring second to Brian Deegan in the first race on Saturday, but returning to grab the win on Sunday as Deegan’s truck expired part way through the race.
“As far as our team goes, we did some off-season testing, but when we got to the track on race day, it didn’t quite work out,” Brandt said, which was a common theme on the weekend. “So, we went back to what worked last time we were there and our laptimes showed that. I didn’t know where Kyle Leduc would be, because I hadn’t raced with him before, so that was kind of a relief [to beat him]. Other than that, there weren’t too many surprises. We knew Brian [Deegan] would be fast, but I was hoping to be a little faster than what we were. Honestly, the plan moving forward is that I want to dominate this year. I’ve been the bridesmaid for a couple of years now and I think it’s my turn to make things happen.”
Brandt holds a slim five-point lead in the title chase over another consistent driver in Jimmy Stephensen, who went 3-2 in the two races. Deegan sits fourth in points, 16 out of the lead, due to the DNF, but by all intents and purposes, it’s a given that he’s going to be fast as the series moves forward.
“As of right now, my plan is to race the whole series in both [Pro Lite and Pro 2] classes,” Deegan said. “I want to redeem myself from last year. I just feel super-comfortable in the Pro Lite truck. I can do whatever I want. It’s pretty dialed. My goal is to win every race and I want to win the championship. I think it’s made me a better driver driving the Pro 2, and racing both trucks helps because the Pro Lite warms me up for the Pro 2 main. I’m used to being physically fit from racing motocross, so it’s not a big deal doing both classes. I think it’s a good thing. It’s easy to forget that it’s only my third year racing trucks, so I’m still learning and trying to figure stuff out, and the more seat time the better for me at this point.”
In the always-exciting Super Lite class, RJ Anderson didn’t make it easy on himself – especially on day two – but his 1-3 score was good enough to lead the points heading into the second event of 2011.
“We were really excited to have positive results coming out of round one,” Anderson said. “We only picked up the truck two weeks before the first race. To come out with a bang pumped the team up. SoCal Supertrucks delivered a good truck out of the box, so we hope we can keep it up. It should only get better from here.”
But motocrosser Jeff “Ox” Kargola is licking his chops after his Sunday performance, you can count on that. He took down the win on day two and very likely hopes to keep that ball rolling at Speedworld.
Regardless, there is a lot of racing to be had between now and the end of the 2011 championship chase.
About the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series:
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit www.LucasOilOffRoad.com
Follow us at: UTVGuide.net Blog or on Facebook
No Comments