Team Amsoil Traxxas TORC

Monday, June 22, 2009

Hord, Oberg, RJ Headline Team AMSOIL at Big House (Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race)

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL came to Crandon International Off Road Raceway for rounds five and six of the 2009 schedule this past weekend. It was the west coast teams turn to make the 2,000 mile trek to Wisconsin to compete at the most prestigious track on the TORC circuit, in front of over 24,000 fans.
Saturday in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class, Monster Energy's Rick Huseman took both the win and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for the fastest lap time, almost breaking Johnny Greaves 2008 track record. The father son Rockstar team of Kyle and Curt Leduc swept second and third place. AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas was able to battle back from early battle's for a sixth.

In the AMSOIL Pro 2WD class, Rob MacCachren and Todd Leduc took first and second place. Red Bull/AMSOIL star Ricky Johnson took third place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for fastest lap. AMSOIL Super Team member Mike Oberg shot out of turn one in second and held on to the position before hitting a rutted section of the track, turning his truck over and putting him out of the race.

Click to Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race:
In the Pro Light class the podium was stacked with talent including winner Marty Hart. AMSOIL's Chad Hord took a very close second and the Oakley Bomb Run Award; Steven Federico took third and his first podium of the 2009 season.
Sunday's action in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class saw Red Bull/AMSOIL's Steve Barlow lead his first race of the season for several laps, before losing the lead in a multi car incident. In the end it was Huseman who swept the weekend by capturing both the win and the Oakley Bomb. Despite flipping his AMSOIL Ford F-150 on its roof early in the race, Douglas was able to refire and track down the leaders for a fourth place finish.

In a similar race Barlow's teammate, Ricky Johnson also led most of the AMSOIL Pro 2wd race, but a punctured tire from contact caused him to finish in fourth place. AMSOIL sponsored Scott Taylor took first place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. Crowd favorite Dan Vanden Heuval rounded out the top three.

The highlight of the weekend was surely The Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup. Pro 4x4 and Pro 2wd trucks battled it out in a shoot-out for the $25,000 prize, as well as the coveted Chairman's Cup Trophy. The Pro 2wd driver lined up almost a full half track ahead of the Pro 4x4 class. Ricky Johnson took the lead and held it throughout with Oberg hot on his tail. In lap two the Wild Man Cenni crashed on the front stretch taking him out of the race. Johnny Greaves also pulled off early in the race. On lap 3 Douglas, Huseman and Mark Jenkins got into each other. Douglas was black flagged for a debatable rough driving call. In the end, Johnson took his first ever cup win, with Oberg putting pressure on him despite an obstructed view for much of the race.

The next stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Michigan for rounds seven and eight. The action will take place over two days, July 11-12.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.