Lovell’s go to Xtreme’s at Home
Rock-crawlers add speed to their resume

Colorado Springs, Colo. ~ The Xtreme Rock Racing Association left southern Colorado racing fans in awe last weekend with what is best described as a cross between technical rock-crawling and stadium racing. The Colorado Springs track at the RAM Off-road Park has become known as the fastest in the circuit and recent changes have been made to include more rock, steeper climbs, and even a double jump. A field of 28 teams entered the race, including Team AMSOIL rock-crawlers Brad and Roger Lovell. Being that rock racing is relatively new to the scene, some may wonder how it works. It is simple. There are four timed runs with the lowest cumulative time winning after taking into account any two-minute penalty for breaking the banner or knocking over a pylon.

Colorado Springs natives Brad and Roger Lovell had little time to prepare their modified class rock-crawler for racing after spending the past few weeks leading the points race in the UROC modified series.

“Brad made repairs to the body while I got the ballast out of the front tires and welded in a co-driver grab handle,” said Roger. “That’s about all we had time for. The paint was still wet at tech inspection.”

While the team’s Ranger is specifically designed for highly technical rock-crawling courses, it hides a 250 horsepower Ford 302 under the hood. The V-8 power combined with a 3-speed Art Carr C-4 transmission and moderate gear reduction proved to be a competitive combination for racing as well as crawling.

The team put down consistently low times on the first three runs and faced a tough decision on the last course; go for the double jump or lose precious seconds with a conservative approach.

The Ford roared to life and Brad hit third before the FABTECH Ranger sailed off the jump. Unfortunately, the team spent valuable space lining up for the jump and lacked speed. The truck crashed into the second berm, eventually sending the vehicle into a nose stand, destined for disaster.

“I remember feeling the hit and seeing a lot of dirt,” said Brad.  “I guess instinct told me to mash the throttle. I did and it paid off. The rear came crashing down knocking the breath out of Roger, but we were on our wheels.” 

The brothers quickly recovered and struggled to make up for lost time, finishing with another jump through the exit gates. The resiliency of the Ranger and piloting effort by the brothers was enough to earn the team a first place finish overcoming second place finisher Shannon Campbell by less than 20 seconds.  The FABTECH Ford Ranger became the first vehicle to win both a UROC Pro National rock-crawl event and an XRRA rock race.”

“I think we won it through communication, consistency, and teamwork,” said Brad, “I have to give a lot of credit to Roger for seamlessly switching roles from spotter to co-driver. He was operating the lockers, transfer case, and cutting brake – basically half the truck.”

Smith Heading For a Dream
Late model driver looking to win in Eldora

Solon Springs, Wis. ~ The Brady Smith Racing team will invade the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the $100,000 to win 'Dream 100.'

The annual mega-event is set for this coming weekend, June 9-10, at the hallowed 1/2-mile, high-banked oval in west-central Ohio.  Qualifying is set for Friday, June 9 at the "Big E," while heat races, consolation events, and the 100-lap A-Main are scheduled for Saturday.  The Deuce finished second in the tune-up race at the "Big E" on Sunday, May 28, so the team is optimistic about their chances in the $100,000 to win event this coming weekend.

“I feel good going into Eldora,” said Smith. “Before this year, we were unable to get many laps around that place, but we’ve been good there in our two visits this year.  By going to those two ALMS shows, our learning curve was greatly enhanced and should provide positive knowledge heading into this weekend.  Of course, the car count and level of competition will increase, but I think our car is good enough to run strong there.  The key will be drawing a good number and then getting qualified up front.  From there, I will just have to get up on the wheel and see what happens.”

Shryock Dominates at Sturgeon Bay
Modified driver leads from start to finish at USMTS event

Sturgeon Bay, Wis. ~ Seven-time defending United States Modified Touring Series national champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, scored a knockout punch at Thunderhill Raceway Wednesday night, leading all 40 laps of the Forest County Potawatomi Wisconsin Summer Nationals to capture his eighth victory of the 2006 racing season.

Lapping all but the top nine finishers, the Team AMSOIL modified driver pocketed $2,000 to bring his season winnings total to more than $25,000 as he padded his national points lead.  Shryock also was the AMSOIL lap leader for the evening after leading all 40 laps. 

The USMTS teams wrap up the annual Wisconsin swing on Friday, June 9, at the Fox Ridge Speedway in Arcadia, Wis.  AMSOIL is the Official Oil of the USMTS.

Schwenkbeck Cracks Top 50 at Bassmaster Tournament
Rookie gaining ground at season mid-point

Grand Lake Grove, Okla. ~ Rookie Bassmaster angler Darrin Schwenkbeck, who is in his first year with Team AMSOIL, recently took part in the Sooner Run in Grand Lake Grove, Okla. Last weekend's event showed the young angler with a three-day total of 33 lbs and 15 ounces.  The Silver Spring, Md.-native posted a day one weight of 13lbs, 9 ounces.  His total weight put him in 46th overall.  He will be back on the water next weekend at the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake in Kentucky Dam Village, Ky.

Co-op Sponsorships

If you are a T-1 certified AMSOIL Dealer looking to sponsor a local racer through the AMSOIL Co-op Race Program, please fill out the G-2074 and send it the AMSOIL Racing Department.  Teams who were sponsored last year will need to fill out the form once again.  Also, please remember to send in your race results, as they will be included in the Checkered Flag.

More From Team AMSOIL

• Team 94 driver Shawn Martin is finding summer success, no matter where he starts his late model.   Last week, Martin started in the rear but was able to work his way up to fourth by the time the checkered flag had dropped.  Unfortunately, clutch problems and a caution with five laps to go pushed him back to 12th.  He was able to fix his mechanical problems and was able to win his next race, despite a number of restarts. AMSOIL Dealer Greg Peace sponsors Martin.

• The month of May was an up and down one for Martin Motorsports out of Liberal, Kan. Driver Jason Martin was sidelined with neck injuries since early February, but the rookie of the year contender returned to the drivers seat for the Missouri High Bank Nationals.  Martin drove his spring car to a fifth place finish in his heat race, qualifying for the “A” Main.  Unfortunately a mechanical problem coming into turn three in the feature pushed the young driver upside-down and he would finish in 22nd.  Martin has been running with the World of Outlaws in his rookie season and is sponsored by AMSOIL Dealer Russell Rougier.

• Alex Amen is quickly becoming a force in his Modified Lite class.  The 15-year-old races regionally at tracks in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.  He recently took his 5/8 Scale IMCA Modified to the Big Country Speedway in Cheyenne, Wyo. and finished third in his class.  He also has another third and a fourth place finish this year.  AMSOIL Dealer Mike Browne sponsors Alex Amen Racing.

• Don Adamzcyk continues to live up to his nickname, the “Williamsville Warrior.”  He is the only driver to make every point’s race since the formation of the Patriot Sprint Group in 2003 (now the American Sprint Car Series).

“That’s 60 races and counting,” said Adamzcyk.  “We are confident that AMSOIL has been a major part of that streak. It is also a testament to our program and the dedication to excellence we strive for each and every race.”  AMSOIL Dealer Andrew Helffrich sponsors Adamzcyk Motorsports.

• The Nolin Racing team is doing well in 2006.  Ryan Nolin is eighth in points after two races in the America Canadian Tour for Late Models.  AMSOIL Dealer Byron Selbrede sponsors the Nolin Racing Team.

• Rollins Racing is getting some mixed results in the NHRA Summer Nationals.  Memorial Day weekend marked the return of the Super Street category to the series after a one-year hiatus and an opportunity for Jason Rollins to compete at the national level. During last Saturday’s eliminations, Rollins ran into a head wind of nearly 20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph.  Starting with a field of 54 cars, the team managed to make it through the first round, but struggled with the set-up and was eliminated in round two.

  “The wind totally threw us in eliminations. We just didn’t have enough runs to get the set-up right,” Rollins said. “Unfortunately we’re not racing on Sunday but considering the limited data we were working with it wasn’t a bad weekend for us.”   Rollins Racing is sponsored by Durand’s AMSOIL Product Center.

• Team AMSOIL rider P.J. Brauweiler recently competed at the CMRC race at RAT track in the 250 Intermediate/Vet Master division.  Brauweiler finished eighth out of the 19 riders.  He is currently in first place in the Intermediate 250 class of the Canadian Motocross Series.  AMSOIL Dealers Bradley and Lisa Vaine sponsor Brauweiler’s efforts.

• Motocross rider Justin Williamson recently finished sixth overall at the Missouri round of the GNCC National series and tenth at the Ohio circuit.  He is also sitting second overall in the OMA National series in the Midwest.  Williamson is sponsored by AMSOIL through sponsorhouse.com.