Brad Lovell continued his hunt for a podium finish in Rounds #5 & 6 of the TRAXXAS TORC Series presented by AMSOIL. The tight track at Oshkosh was a different challenge than the ultra fast rounds in Crandon and Bark River. The Lovell Racing team had high hopes that the tighter and more technical track would favor Brad’s driving style.

Torrential rains soaked the clay track for hours before Friday night’s race but the crew somehow got the track in excellent shape. The rains cancelled qualifying so once again Lovell was forced to start near the back of the 11 truck field. A strong start, however, boosted Lovell through the traffic and into the heart of the action. He made a couple more passes and at the mandatory caution #44 was sitting in 4th place. Bad luck hampered the truck in the second half of the 15 lap race as bumping caused Lovell’s steering to once again fail and he was forced to pull off the track. “It really boosted my confidence to fight my way up to 4th,” commented Lovell, “I was closing in on 3rd, the truck was screaming fast and the BFGs were gripping to the track perfectly, it felt great! Unfortunately, poor fabrication in the steering once again cost us. We completely replaced the tie rods so the next part in line failed. I’m frustrated.”

The team worked late into the night to make repairs and fully condition the truck for another shot at the podium. Rains again drenched the area and flooded the track which was feverishly repaired. The Pro-Lights took the stage with Lovell starting in 9th. The flag dropped and Brad took the inside line around the #27 truck just as it lost control. Morris spun right in front of Brad and with no time to slow, Lovell punted him into the infield. The #44 AMSOIL truck was damaged but still running strong. The trend continued for the whole race as Lovell twice again found himself tangled up with spun trucks. The impacts took their toll. #44 became less controllable and eventually finished 8th. A podium finish will have to wait for another day.

Brad reflects, “I am continually astounded by this type of racing. I really respect the years of experience, teamwork, and fine tuning involved. The furious pace of the season really has a stranglehold on our team. Short course is an extremely challenging sport to master and is making us a stronger team.”

Video highlights of the weekend here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsku0kL5nYc

Brad will return to his roots along with brother Roger at the XRRA Cortez races 8/7 & 8 before again traveling to the mid-west for the final 6 race onslaught of the TORC series.