Rounds 5 & 6 UTV Race Recaps and Results
CRANDON, Wis. (June 26, 2017) – The Big House brought the speed as TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL made its 2017 debut at the sport’s most famed raceway. The Crandon International Off-Road Raceway is often deemed the holy grail of short-course, off-road racing, and for the thousands of fans who covered hillsides and filled the towering grandstands, the action didn’t disappoint.
While Crandon is a known commodity for most TORC Series drivers, the all-out, throttle-down venue was a marked change of pace from the shorter and more technical tracks of Chicago and Minneapolis visited early this year. Frequent rain throughout the weekend made track conditions extra challenging with a narrow and polished groove as the fast and favored line, but a rain-soaked cushion flanked both sides of the track.
ROUND 5 PRO UTV RECAP
GREAVES STAYS PERFECT IN PRO STOCK UTV
CJ Greaves remained perfect in PRO Stock UTV with another convincing win. However, it wasn’t as easy for the rest of the field as Brian Wasz forced a red-flag with a multi-flip crash in the opening laps. Not long after, it was Daely Pentico getting into Ken Masch, who was sitting second in the year-end points chase. The incident created another caution and forced both competitors out of the race. In the end, it was Greaves cruising to an easy win, with Zack Martin finishing second and Dillion Pointon in third. “I gave it Hail Mary in the gravely pit,” said Greaves after the race talking about his move to the front after the opening lap. “I made it work two times in a row and came out on top.”
VAN EPEREN CAPTURES THIRD WIN OF SEASON IN PRO MOD UTV
Rodney Van Eperen continued to be the one to beat in the PRO Mod UTV ranks as he held off Kyle Chaney to claim his third win of the young season. The win however didn’t come without a few surprises as Van Eperen first misread a local yellow as a full-field caution, and then later steered out of a bicycle move in the closing laps. A blown belt by Jason Luburgh gave Rodney the lead back after the yellow flag error, and later it was Treavis Poynter who nearly got around Van Eperen after making the two-wheel bobble, but it wasn’t meant to be. Following Rodney across the line was Chaney in second, and Tim Farr in third. “Those guys out there were really pushing me,” said Van Eperen. “They’re making me work to stay in front.”
ROUND 6 PRO UTV RECAP
ITS GREAVES AGAIN IN PRO STOCK UTV AS HIS PERFECT SEASON CONTINUES
With no qualifying, the PRO Stock UTV field was larger than ever as 28 vehicles filled three lines for the land rush start. Making things still more challenging, the early run time delivered a greasy track and a narrow groove for the swarm of drivers. None of that mattered for CJ Greaves, who nailed the holeshot; overcame an early red flag restart; and eventually checked out with a three-second advantage over Zach Martin and Dillon Pointon at the line. The podium was once again an all Yamaha affair with Greaves leading the way keeping his perfect season intact. “We’re just doing our thing and running our lines,” said CJ after yet another podium celebration.
VAN EPEREN CAPTURES THIRD WIN OF SEASON IN PRO MOD UTV
If CJ Greaves is the king of PRO Stock UTV, then there is no question that Rodney Van Eperen is the king of PRO Mod UTV as he won yet again with a flag-to-flag performance. In another race without qualifying, the field was packed with 25 talented drivers and plenty of clean racing. And while the scoring sheet will show Van Eperen out front for the entire affair, it didn’t come easy as both Kyle Chaney and Tim Farr, who finished second and third respectively, pressured Van Eperen and each other for much of the race. Those three along with Jason Luburgh and Drew Schulz were the tops in the class, pulling away from the field and having a five-way tug-of-war for position through much of the race. Still it was Van Eperen who came out on top once again. “Holy man, I just can’t get a cushion on these guys,” said Rodney. “That was some fun racing.”
UP NEXT – BARK RIVER, MICHIGAN THROW DOWN IN THE U.P.
The TORC Series will return to action July 15-16 in Bark River, Michigan for rounds 7 and 8.
Tune in for live streaming by visiting torcseries.com, YouTube at /USATORC, or Facebook at /TORC.
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High-resolution images and other assets from Round Five of TORC: The Off-Road Championship Big House Brawl are available for download HERE. Copyright allows editorial use to promote TORC: The Off-Road Championship only.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Kunzer | TORC Marketing/Communications Manager
[email protected]
801.647.2510
TORC: The Off-Road Championship is the nation’s homegrown short-course racing series. Built by drivers—TORC roots run deep, hosting world champions and descendants from all off-road disciplines. What started nearly a decade ago with a crew of dedicated drivers has evolved into a multigenerational sport of two-wheel and four-wheel drive trophy trucks, and UTV racing. TORC seeks to preserve the spirit of short-course racing by working with the finest tracks throughout America’s heartland and hosting some of the sport’s most competitive teams. Buckle up, because when you hear the engines rumble and witness a pack of trucks flying through the air, fighting for the inside line and taking the TORC National Championship, you’ll be hooked for life. Learn more at torcseries.com.
