Kumho Continues Chase for The Championship at Bark River
- Ricky Jonson 1st place PRO 2WD
- Scott Douglas 3rd place KUMHO PRO 4WD
- Chad Hord 1st place PRO Light
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., August 11, 2009—The highflying action of the Traxxas TORC Truck Series presented by AMSOIL returned to Bark River Michigan this weekend for another two rounds of racing. More than 17,000 fans crowded the 1.5-mile track at the Bark River International Raceway to watch rounds 9 and 10 of the ongoing national series.
In the Kumho Pro 4x4 class, Red Bull/Kumho driver Steve Barlow started both days on the poll. Scott Douglas in the AMSOIL/Kumho truck fought hard to challenge the leaders late in the race Saturday, but early engine trouble persisted throughout the race and Douglas took a third spot on the podium for Kumho Tires. The Sunday action was intense from the start as Douglas got a good run on the competition but a truck spun in front only a few laps into the race. With nowhere to go, Douglas made heavy contact that damaged his suspension and put him out of the race early. Douglas currently sits fourth in points and will contend for the championship as the season continues at Crandon International Raceway.
The AMSOIL PRO 2WD class continues to bring close racing and a lot of excitement; it is TORC's largest PRO class and stacked deep with racing talent. Supercross legends Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Johnson had an intense battle on Saturday as McGrath led for most of the race trying to hold off Johnson. Eventually he would succumb to both Ricky Johnson, who took the win, and Todd LeDuc, who took second. Sunday’s action was a crowd pleaser as the top drivers battled to the end for a spot on the podium.
At the drop of the checkered flag Johnson’s Red Bull/Kumho entry would settle for a second place behind Todd LeDuc. Johnson is the recipient of the Oakley Bomb Award for the fastest lap for a total of four this season. The championship standings are in Kumho’s favor with Ricky Johnson in the lead with three race weekends remaining.
The most unpredictable class of the weekend was PRO Light. Traxxas driver Jeff Kincaid took the win on Saturday, but was not as successful Sunday after ending his race early due to engine trouble. Chris Brandt, a new addition to the Kumho team, showed his strength Saturday while working his way to the front. Brandt ran out of time on the leaders and was earned a third place finish.
Sunday was a new day, and the PRO Light class wouldn’t disappoint with lap after lap of action. Chad Hord in the BOSS/Kumho truck started in the fifth position but wouldn’t stay there long. After only a few laps, Hord was running in second position lying in wait for leader Jeff Kincaid to make a mistake. The mistake never came, but lady luck did. Kincaid pulled off with mechanical trouble opening the door for Hord to win the PRO Light class. Chad Hord is leading the points in the championship for PRO Light.
The incredible season continues for Keith Steele and his #29 Monster Energy Kumho Tire Chevy Limited Truck, as the team clinched the season championship after eight of ten rounds of racing. “The Man in Black” currently has a 53-point lead on his nearest competitor, and with only a maximum of 50-points available for the remainder of the season, Keith clinched the title for Kumho Tires after his eighth straight win of the year. Adding to the championship for Steele, he has the honor of securing Kumho Tires 100th win in the off road racing program.
If you didn't catch all the action from Bark River, Michigan, you can watch it on August 16th at 11:30 EST on ESPN2.
The next stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wisconsin. The world famous track will host its 40th anniversary event on Labor Day Weekend, September 4-6th. Robby Gordon will make his driving debut for TORC, and TORC will be live for the first time on ABC.
