Lovell’s Open Title Defense
Brothers credit outstanding support during off-season

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Phoenix, Ariz. ~ Team Lovell came out of the gates strong in their title defense by putting their Ford Ranger in the winner’s circle at the first stop in the 2006 UROC Pro National Pacific Series. The Phoenix, Ariz. heat was intense and competitive pressure high among the 17 entrants battling in the Super Truck Class. It was a win for more than the Lovells, as off-season changes made by UROC resulted in an outstanding event.

New this year to UROC are rule changes designed to make for a safer, more entertaining event. Gone are the spotter straps that were used to steady vehicles. UROC has also tightened the rules for driving. Vehicles are now disqualified if more than one tire passes outside a set of cones. Also making it more challenging for competitors is a reduction in allowed course time from seven minutes to six minutes. Lastly, UROC rockcrawling is now run in an elimination format. All teams run six courses, the top 12 then move on to semi-finals, then the top four move to the final round. The significant changes to the sport were a risk but seem to have been well received by the teams and fans alike.

“All of a sudden our sport is a little bit more like racing,” commented team driver Brad Lovell. “Impact speeds, heat buildup, and split second decisions are a lot more of a factor.”

The team was quick to give credit for the win to support during the off-season.

“In the 103 degree heat of the day,” commented Roger Lovell, “the fan fuse blew and the motor reached almost 260 degrees before we had finished course number four. It sure made us glad we had AMSOIL in everything.”

Regardless of the quality of the Ranger, teamwork is an essential element to winning. The highlight of the event came when the brothers found themselves on a -20 point bonus line in the finals.

Brad described the action. “I could not see anything. The Ranger was nearly standing on the rear bumper and each inch forward pitched it uncomfortably to the left. I just listened to Roger and watched the BFGoodrich tires grip because I sure was not going to look down!”

The team flawlessly executed this bonus that rejected many super-modified “moonbuggies” earlier in the day.  Keep watch as the excitement continues in only two weeks when the UROC Pro Pacific Series stops in Cedar City, Utah on May 25-27.

Dubé Provides Consistency During Trying Race
Canadian gets strong results in front of hometown crowd

Riviere du Loup, Quebec. ~ Marco Dubé was confident heading into the second round of the Canadian Arenacross Series in Quebec.  After winning the first round of racing, Dubé had a chance to win a couple of events in front of his family and 8,000 race fans.

A wet track and aggressive riders were challenges for Dubé all weekend long.  More than once a fellow competitor tried to rough Dubé up in the corners, but his strong frame allowed him to handle the advances.  While no one was disqualified for the rough riding, Dubé was able to land on the podium four times throughout the weekend.  He finished third in the 125 class on Friday night, and despite crashing three times in the 250 final, he was able to procure a second place finish.  On Saturday night, he again finished third in the 125 class and second in the 250 class.

Dubé will be racing the first round of the Canadian Motorcross series in St. Julie in two weeks.

Smith Continues Improvement as Summer Nears
Strong showings translating to confidence for young driver

Solon Springs, Wis. ~ Late model driver Brady Smith was on the move last week, both on the track and off.  The Brady Smith Racing Team started the weekend in Knoxville, Iowa before packing up their trailer and cruising down to Tazewell, Tenn. on Saturday night.

In Knoxville, Smith continues to get better and better and it showed at the famed Knoxville Speedway.  Smith took a break from his NARA schedule to race with the World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) and a $5,000 purse.  The Deuce started 23rd on the starting grid for the 40-lap feature after finishing fifth in his heat race and third in the B-main.  The Solon Springs, Wis.- native improved his starting spot by 17 positions en route to a solid sixth place finish at the historic oval.

A long overnight haul to the Tazewell Speedway in Tennessee was then in store for the #2 team.  Smith finished fifth in his heat race at the tight 1/3-mile oval, but transferred to the $10,000-to-win NARA Late Model Dirt Series A-main by virtue of his second place run in the B-main.  The Deuce rolled off from the outside of the tenth row for the 75-lap feature event and was able to climb up to the twelfth spot by the time the checkered flag fell over the field.  Smith is up to tenth in the latest version of the NARA point standings and is second behind Steve Casebolt in the ultra-competitive Rookie of the Year battle.

“I feel like we made some strides with our program last week and got back to the way we should be running,” said the driver of the AMSOIL #2 MasterSbilt from Mars / Pro Power Monte Carlo this week.  “Knoxville is a great race track and we had the car setup well for the feature race.  Then at Tazewell, I feel like we had a pretty good showing for our first time there.  That place is one of a kind and I couldn’t believe how high the straight-aways were banked.  I am really looking forward to this coming weekend when the NARA tour comes a little closer to us.  I have had some strong runs at Farley and LaSalle in the past and hopefully the familiarity of those tracks will be to our advantage.”

The “Deuce” will travel to Iowa and Illinois this weekend for a pair of NARA Late Model Dirt Series events.  Brady will invade the Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa on Friday, May 19 and the LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Ill. the following evening. 

Thatcher the Late Model Victory Snatcher

Smith isn’t the only late model driver gaining confidence as the racing season roars on.  Craig Thatcher is also off to a great start this year.  Thatcher has picked up two feature wins and added three top fives to his early season record.

At Menomonie, Wis. last Friday night, Thatcher started in 11th in the feature and was able to come away with the win.  Then on Saturday night, Thatcher headed to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.  He ran in the top few spots for most of the race, eventually finishing in third.  Thatcher wrapped up the weekend with a Sunday showing at the Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, Wis.  A new point system meant Thatcher had to start near the back of the field for the main, but by the seventh lap he had the lead and was able to hold on for the win.

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.