AMSOIL Lovell has Breakout Weekend at the Big House

CC | September 8, 2011

Aside from getting his first pro-light win, Brad Lovell could not have had a better weekend at the World Championships in Crandon, WI. Including a makeup round from the spring, the pro-light class faced 3 races that were wedged between dousing rainstorms.

Action started Friday afternoon on a near perfect track. Lovell got a good run at the start and held leader Andrew Caddell for the entire race. The two trucks separated from the pack but Lovell was unable to put the AMSOIL Nissan in passing position. The effort landed the team their second runner-up finish at Crandon. Brad adds, “We made some risky decisions in the shop this month about where to invest our time (rock racing or shot course) and it paid off. We’re running with the big dogs now!”

Saturday’s weather dampened spirits and cancelled qualifying. After studying the radar, TORC officials perfectly timed a lapse in rain and got the track in great shape for the pro-light race. Starting 4^th (based on points) in a field of 20 trucks, Lovell got a great run and passed Hubinette in turn #1. “I had such a strong run I could have taken the lead into turn 2 but got boxed out. I was again chasing Caddell, the truck felt perfect, and I knew I could catch him.” Lovell pushed hard but also faced a battle from a hard charging Brian Deegan who would eventually pass Lovell for 2^nd. The top 3 trucks had again pulled away from the field and the AMSOIL / Torchmate Nissan easily gained another podium finish.

With brimming confidence, the team made adjustments to ready the truck for what would be the wildest race of the weekend. Rain had annihilated the track which was now a slick blue groove with a harsh slimy shoulder. “We had two sets of BFG’s ready and didn’t make the call until just before the race,” comments Brad, “It paid off and I got a good start but was somehow smashed by another truck. It hit so hard it blew the air tube off my helmet. I collected the truck but was in the back of the pack. I was fighting traffic and got a little nudge in a turn which sent me completely off the track. I drove on the right two wheels for an eternity trying to save a roll and find the course. When I got back on I was way back and knew I faced a fight. I kept picking them off and a few guys spun. Before I knew it, I was looking at the leaders again!” Lovell made an amazing comeback and would again finish on the podium to round out the team’s best weekend yet.

To cap it all off, Lovell moved from 6^th to 2^nd in series points. “I can’t believe it,” added Brad, “I am fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteer friends and family that are behind me. Roger made it out for this event which added to an already stellar crew. To be sitting 2^nd at this point in my pro-light career is a big confidence booster because we are catching the big teams even though they are outspending us. I can’t wait for Chicago!” The team would also like to congratulate fellow AMSOIL / Nissan / BFGoodrich / Fox teammate Chad Hord for capturing the AMSOIL Cup.

The next round of TORC racing is only a week away at the Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, IL. The midweek race will open for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup chase race at the adjoining speedway. TORC trucks will race the evenings of 9/14 and 9/15. Racing will be live on the SPEED Channel Thursday 9/15 from 8 pm to 10 pm CST. Otherwise follow Lovell Racing on Facebook and watch AMSOILRacing.com for live coverage of the races.