Less than 1 min. behind Thomas, taking 2nd place, was Jeff Hoskins' emerald green Chevy. Dispite dogging Thomas all weekend, Hoskins was unable to make up the few precious seconds he needed for the win

1996 Protruck Champion Chuck Harris (Chevy) finished in 3rd, with a combined time that left him under 10 minuets out of the lead. With only 2 points determining the difference between 1st and 3rd place in the 97 points chase, Harris retains his narrow lead due to the misfortunes of his closest competitors, Steve Barlow (Ford - placing 6th and completing 9 laps) and Scott Steinberger (Ford - completing 3 laps).

Rick Johnson (Ford) finished 4th, just over 4 min behind Harris, Although gaining points in Laughlin, the gap between Johnson and his closest rival, Hoskins, was widened on the streingth of Jeff's 2nd place showing.

6th place went to Glen Greer in his white and orange F-150, who completed 9 of the 10 laps with a time of 02:21:40

Both Scott Steinberger and Mike James have seen better days. Steinberger's 3rd in points standing and James' 4th, were not helped by their 7th and 8th place finishes (respectively). Both are fierce competitors however, and with the point structure of the Baja 1000, stand to make up large ammounts of lost ground. The loss is perhaps worst felt by James, who along with co-driver Mike Kalicki, Won the 1996 Laughlin Challenge at the wheel of the Championship winning "Outlaw" Class 5 Baja