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CORR EXXON Superflo Series
returns
with a vengeance to Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa (May 20, 2001)—The fans at
the Midwest Off-Road Raceway in Fort Dodge, Iowa were ready for the
rumble of 800 horsepower pick-up trucks soaring through the air and
kicking up dirt when the 2001 season of the CORR EXXON Superflo
Series made its season debut on May 19.
In
the EXXON Superflo Pro Series, seven rookies started their
professional racing career in Round 1, including five in the
Pro-Lite division. Pro-Lite drivers Steve Federico (2000 Single
Buggy Champion), Chad Hord (2000 Super Buggy Champion), along with
racing veteran Jimmie Crowder, as well as Joe Price and Tom Hoppock
experienced their first professional off-road race at perhaps the
fastest track in Championship Off-Road Racing.
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Jimmie Crowder, back after taking a couple of
years off, takes 3rd place in the Pro-Lite class |
Sixteen Pro-Lite trucks started in Round 1, the
largest field ever assembled in that division. Rick Huseman’s
Fabtech Ford raced to the early lead and was dominating the track,
opening up a sizeable lead over the field. Heading into the
straightaway on the back part of the track with full power, his
truck immediately stalled. He lost his transmission, which allowed
Jason Crowder and his Wicked Willies Ford to take the lead and win
the first round.
Chris Brandt, the only
Iowa driver competing in the CORR EXXON Superflo Series, finished
second, but was penalized five points in the season point standings
for an illegal front bumper. Brandt, from Council Bluffs, is
competing in his third season. His Toyota Tacoma gained speed as
the race went to the second half, showing that his truck will be
strong in 2001. In 2000, he finished in second place with 18 starts
and two victories, one at Fort Dodge (Round 7) and Indianapolis
(Round 13). Rookie Steve Federico, in his Ingles Market Toyota,
finished third, and Jimmie Crowder finished fourth. 2000 Pro-Lite
champion Jeff Kincaid finished 12th.
In the
Pro-2 division, Scott Taylor and Evan Evans are starting the season
where it left off in 2000. Taylor blistered to the front, followed
quickly by Carl Renezeder and Evans.
After
Evans passed Renezeder’s Lucas Oil Chevrolet, his GM
Hydra-Matic Transmission Chevrolet was gaining ground
quickly-heading right for Taylor’s EXXON Superflo
Ford.
The fans roared with anticipation
when Evans was rubbing Taylor’s back bumper, which was a
familiar scene several times last season. Evans, one of the more
popular drivers, is paralyzed from the chest down, and drives using
hand controls.
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Rob MacCachren flies through the back mogul
section to grab his 14th career victory. |
With the race over half over, Evans took a few
shots, but was unable to pass Taylor. When both drivers came down
the straightaway side-by-side, Evans had the opportunity, and
briefly took the lead when they made the first turn before Taylor
relinquished the lead heading to the second turn. Entering the most
dangerous part of Midwest Off-Road Raceway, Evans disappeared down
into a steep banking, and re-appeared in the lead. As the crowd
responded, what they did not realize was Evans passed Taylor in a
yellow-flag zone, which is illegal.
When
Evans accepted his black-flag penalty, which is a five-second stop
and go, his truck stalled during that time, which left Taylor in
the lead. Taylor held on and picked up the victory, the 18th of his
career.
Defending his 2000 Pro-4
championship Rob MacCachren and his TrailMaster Ford will not go
away easy in 2001. He was able to hold off Jason Baldwin’s
Filger Manufacturing Ford, Curt LeDuc’s NAPA Chassis Ford,
and Adrian Cenni’s Atrium Staffing Chevy to claim his 14th
career victory.
Baldwin’s
second-place finish was the best of his career. Scott
Douglas’ RANCHO Ford looked strong starting the race, and was
gaining ground before he hit a hole after coming out of turn two,
which put his truck on its side. He was able to continue, and
placed seventh. Rookie Kent Brascho from Pell City, Alabama started
his Championship Off-Road Racing career with a fifth place
finish.
The Sportsman Division saw familiar
names in the winners circle in Round 1, as Ben O’Connell
(Light Buggy), Michael Seefeldt (Single Buggy), Todd Wallace (Super
Buggy), Mark Kleiman (Stock), and Mike Oberg (Sportsman 2) each
claimed victory. Combined, these five drivers have 21 career
victories. Seefeldt now has 11 wins in 32 starts, placing him first
on the career wins list in the Single Buggy division.
Round 2 of the CORR EXXON Superflo Series was
postponed due to inclement weather. As a result, three rounds will
take place when the series returns to Fort Dodge on July 28 and 29.
More information will be posted at a later date, so please stay
tuned to the CORR website at www.corracing.com.
The CORR EXXON Superflo Series will head to Antigo, Wisconsin
for the next event, which will take place at Langlade County
Fairgrounds on June 9 and 10. For ticket information, please call
1-888-526-4523, or visit www.corracing.com. |
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