Qualifying for the biggest race on the Best in the Desert schedule, the Mint 400, took place today with nearly 80 Trick Trucks and Class 1500 unlimited buggies taking to the sands just outside Las Vegas at Primm, Nevada.

All the stars of off-road racing were in attendance lining up to take their chance at the pole for the great American race that has become the premier off-road race in the United States.

MORE: 2016 Mint 400 Photo Gallery

Capturing the pole with a blistering run was Justin Lofton in his #41 Trick Truck with a time of 4 minutes and 50.913 seconds with a 49.5 mph average time over the 4-mile course.

Looking to build on the momentum from his third-place finish at the Parker 425 was Andy McMillin, who was just over a second slower than Lofton. The five-time Baja 1000 champion announced earlier this year that he will be returning to a full schedule of racing since being on hiatus the last few years. It appears he hasn’t missed a step.

Always in the hunt was Bryce Menzies rounding out the top three. The Las Vegas resident is definitely a local favorite and will be a threat for the overall on race day.

A solid run for both Jesse Jones and past class champion Jason Voss placed them in the 4th and 5th positions, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10 and within striking distance was Derek Sproule, current champion Rob MacCachren, with Pat Dean, Cody Parkhouse, and Ray Griffith binging in the top class 1500 buggies.

Saturday’s race will surely be interesting as blinding dust, boulders, holes, ditches, and 70 other trucks and buggies try to take these positions away from the top qualifiers. In the end only one will be the winner; everything else is second place.

Qualifying - 2016 Mint 400
1. Justin Lofton - 4:50.913 (Trick Truck)
2. Andy McMillin - 4:52.076 (Trick Truck
3. Bryce Menzies - 4:52.298 (Trick Truck)
4. Jesse Jones - 4:52.504 (Trick Truck)
5. Jason Voss - 4:54.289 (Trick Truck)
6. Derrick Sproule - 4:55.942 (Trick Truck)
7. Rob MacCachren - 4:56.331 (Trick Truck)
8. Pat Dean - 4:56.588 (Class 1500)
9. Cody Parkhouse - 4:57.143 (Class 1500)
10. Ray Griffith - 4:58.483 (Class 1500)
11. Josh Daniel - 4:58.483 (Trick Truck)
12. Sam Berri - 4:58.545 (Class 1500)
13. Eduardo Laguna - 4:59.114 (Trick Truck)
14. Nick Nelson - 4:59.374 (Trick Truck)
15. Ryan Poelman - 5:00.023 (Trick Truck)
16. Brett Sourapas - 5:00.298 (Trick Truck)
17. Cameron Steele - 5;01.160 (Trick Truck)
18. Luke McMillin - 5:01.563 (Trick Truck)
19. Justin Davis - 5:02.528 (Class 1500)
20. Cole Potts - 5:03.434 (Trick Truck)