CRANDON: It's Going to be the Biggest Off-road Racing Event Ever! 40th Anniversary of 'The Big House'
Corona, CA (August 31, 2009)-Led by former motocross stars, Monster Energy's Jeremy "Showtime" McGrath and his four wheel adversary, Rick "RJ" Johnson, the stars of The Traxxas Off-Road Championship Series, aka the "TORC" series, bring their thunderous traveling road show back to the Mecca of closed-course off-road truck–Wisconsin's famed Crandon International Raceway – for what should prove to be yet another ferocious weekend of dirt-slinging, Fiberglass-ripping, thunderous racing action at the place locals just call "Crandon."
In addition to the online broadcast efforts of DirtNewz.com's Live at TORC and USAC Live Race Day Coverage, ABC Sports will bring the Crandon/TORC event into everyone's house with a television, beaming the race LIVE on Sunday, Sept. 6th, from 4-5 pm EST.
Known as the birthplace of short course off-road racing, Crandon is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. In the neighborhood of 50,000 fans expected, race promoters and racers alike are banking on this to be the biggest weekend of off-road racing of the summer–especially considering the event will be run on live TV by a major network.
"It's not only a pilgrimage for the fans in the Midwest, there are fans from California to Florida to Maine. This year we are expecting a large contingent from Southern California who want to make it Crandon," said TORC's Mitch Covington. "On top of that ABC really wanted TORC to do a live event and the 40th anniversary of off-road racing at Crandon was the obvious choice. We're very excited to have been able to get this particular time slot for such an important race in the evolution of short-course racing."
Leading the way in the premier classes will be a contingent of Monster Energy-backed racers, including Kuhmo PRo 4x4 Truck points leader Rick Huseman (Monster Energy/Toyota), arguably the "King of Crandon", Johnny Greaves (Monster Energy/Potawatomi/Toyota) and just the King himself, McGrath (Monster Energy/Toyota), who'll be charging towards an overall podium spot in the AMSOIL Pro 2WD Truck division. And battling bumper-to-bumper with the Monster Energy guys along with Johnson will be the LeDucs, Kyle (4WD class) and Todd (2WD class), along with multi-time podium finisher Rob MacCachren.
"All signs point to a great weekend of racing at Crandon this weekend," said Greaves, a Wisconsin local and winner of the coveted BorgWarner Cup–off-road racing's premier trophy-in 2004 and '07. "We've got some catching up to do in the 4x4 points, so the plan is to put my foot into it and keep that view of the horizon nice and level."
Joining in the fun will be a special TORC guest star of sorts as NASCAR driver and Baja off-road legend, Monster Energy's own Robby Gordon, will pull a double shift this weekend–running Sunday morning's TORC 2WD race, then jetting to Atlanta to run the Pep Boys 500 in Atlanta on Sunday night under the lights. "Crandon is short course racing's Baja 1,000 – or NASCAR's Daytona 500," said Gordon. Note: Gordon's highlights will be shown during the live broadcast of the 4WD and BorgWarner Cup races.
And rounding out the competition field will be Monster Energy's top up-and-coming TORC racer, Casey Currie. The former motocrosser and brother of multi-time AMA Supermoto Lites champ, Monster Energy's Brandon Currie, is contesting the Pro Light Truck division and is in 5th place in the point standings with a win and two additional podium finishes on the season.
Fast Facts
The Race: Crandon, Wisconsin
The Date: Friday September 4th through Sunday September 6th, 2009.
The Track: Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
The Time: Friday, 6pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am
TV: LIVE on ABC Saturday September 6th at 4pm EST.
Radio: DirtNewz.com
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday- Practice, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Races start 10:30 a.m.
Track Contact: Allison Morrow 715.478.2222
2009 Top 3 Drivers:
PRO Light
1) Chad Hord 2) Jeff Kincaid 3) Marty Hart
PRO 2WD
1) Ricky Johnson 2) Todd LeDuc 3) Rob MacCachren
PRO 4x4
1) Rick Huseman 2) Kyle LeDuc 3) Johnny Greaves
Past BorgWarner Winners:
2008 Scott Taylor Ford 2WD BFG
2007 Johnny Greaves Toyota 4x4 BFG
2006 Scott Douglas Ford 4x4 Kumho
2005 Jason Baldwin Ford 4x4 BFG
2004 Johnny Greaves Toyota 4x4 BFG
2003 Carl Renezeder Chev. 4x4 BFG
2002 Scott Taylor Ford 2WD BFG
2001 Rob MacCachren Ford 4x4 BFG
2000 Rob MacCachren Ford 4x4 BFG
1999 Rob MacCachren Ford 4x4 BFG
1998 Curt LeDuc Ford 4x4 BFG
1997 Scott Douglas Ford 4x4 BFG
1996 Jack Flannery Chev. 4x4 Goodyear
1995 Steve Kelley Dodge 4x4 Goodyear
Crandon 101: Highlights
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway is located one mile (1.6 km) west of Crandon, Wisconsin on U.S. Route 8. The original off-road track was 1.75 miles (2.82 km). Shortly after, the track was shortened to 1.5 miles (2.4 km). In 2002, a shortcut through the track was installed to allow a 1.25 mile (2.01 km) long lap. The change allows spectators to see the entire track, and it is utilized for selected events. A well known aspect to the Crandon races is the "land-rush start". Vehicles are lined up at the start line side-by-side, when the track goes green it's full throttle to see who can come out of turn one in the lead.
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, Off-Road's Big House, Where Champions are crowned. Tickets for the September Labor Day TORC race weekend at Crandon are $35. More information is available at crandonoffroad.com.
