BARK RIVER, Mich. – After a long absence, Mike Oberg returned to the Winner’s Circle, earning the PRO 2WD win at Bark River International Raceway Saturday. Jeremy McGrath, who earned the race’s Oakley Bomb Award with a fast lap of 1:23.544, appeared to have the victory well in hand until he had to pull off the track after his damaged left front fender came almost completely loose, obstructing his view of the track.

“I had a great time out there,” McGrath said after the race. “I knew I had to make some quick moves to get right to the front of Chad (Hord) and Mike (Oberg) and all those guys. Thanks to Oakley for the Oakley Bomb Award! We didn’t get the grand prize, but at least we got something and hopefully we’ll be back strong for tomorrow.”

Other PRO winners from Saturday’s Round 3 action were Marty Hart (PRO Light) and Johnny Greaves (PRO 4WD). Hart earned the Traxxas Maxx Cash Award of $1,000 with a fast lap of 1:28.795 and Greaves earned the Oakley Bomb award in his class with a lap of 1:20.331.

While McGrath was fast, that’s not to say Oberg didn’t have a dominant truck. His AMSOIL machine started the race on the pole after the top six spots were inverted after morning practice. Oberg led most of the first half of the race with McGrath finally edging him at the line at the midway point.

“It was a tough battle out there,” Oberg said. “I was a little apprehensive out there because I got all these rabid dogs behind me chasing me; I was the rabbit in front of them. AMSOIL has been with me for a while and they’ve really helped me out. (The truck) was hooking up. I was planting that outside tire in every corner and it really worked good.”

Once Oberg retained the lead, it was a done deal. Rob MacCachren finished second and Jeff Kincaid, the winner of the Crandon Cup last month, was on his way to the podium, but mechanical issues forced him out as he was heading for the white flag. Taking the third spot was Chad Hord, a native of Felch, Mich., and an area favorite here.

Greaves made short work of the field in PRO 4, starting fifth after a four-truck inversion. He quickly passed Mark Jenkins for the lead and never gave it up. It was another big day for the Greaves’ family after his son, CJ, took runner-up honors in Super Buggy earlier in the day after starting dead last.

“We were able to get the lead on the first lap without too much issue,” Greaves said. “Everything went great. I gotta thank my crew, my wife, my kids, everybody. They just pour their hearts and souls into this.”

The best race in the closing laps was for the final spot on the podium with Scott Douglas and Steve Barlow framming and bamming all over the track. Douglas was able to edge Barlow for third at the line, earning his third finish in that spot in three rounds this season.

In PRO Lights, Hart sliced his way to the front for a dominating victory. Andrew Caddell, still fresh off his stellar weekend in Crandon, finished second while the class’s other winner from the Mad House, Casey Currie, wrapped up third.

The crowd was warmed up by some exciting racing out of the Sportsman classes with Brent Smith just edging Chris Bower at the line in Enduro and Rhonda Konitzer, a winner in Limited 2WD in Crandon, finishing runner-up to Mike Vanden Heuval after a brilliant pass 100 yards from the finish line after Daniel Baudox lost a right rear tire.

Other Sportsman winners were: Dale Chestnut (Classix), Greg Stingle (1600 Light Buggy), Mark Steinhardt (1600 Buggy), Danny Beauchamp (Stock Truck), and John Frana (Super Buggy).

Day 2 at Bark River is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. EDT Sunday with online streaming for all the events. Full results and standings can be found at TORCSeries.com.

For more information on the Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL, visit them on the Web at TORCSeries.com. For information on the United States Auto Club, visit USACRacing.com. Both sites will also feature live free streaming of all the events on the TORC Series schedule courtesy of GoPro cameras and eBay Motors.

Race fans can follow all the action throughout the TORC Series season on its official Twitter sites at Twitter.com/TORCMedia and its official page on Facebook.