Morris Runs Out Front At TORC In Charlotte
Flying Dutchman Off Road converged on The Dirt Track at Charlotte in hopes of showing a live television audience that they meant business. Once the semi was set up and the Pro Light Truck was prepared for battled, the team assessed the track and sized up the competition.
Thursday afternoon began with a driver’s meeting and introduction to all the new TORC competition and safety staff. After the team prepared for an open 3 hour session of practice. During practice Morris tested different lines, fine tuned suspension, and observed other driver’s driving styles. After practice the decision was made to change gears to better suit the track.
Friday morning with the truck ready to go the team was offered 2 more opportunities to practice before going live on SPEED Friday night. TORC had never been able to offer so much practice time to the Pro teams, but exceptional weather conditions finally made it possible.
After qualifying Friday afternoon, Morris found himself just outside the 6 truck inversion by .2 of a second. He would have to start on the 4th row in the 7th position.
In front of a full crowd and millions watching on live SPEED television, Morris would have to work his way to the front through the strong field of racers. As the green flag dropped, he tried to duck inside and began battling with everyone. The top 3 began to pull away from the rest of the field, but Morris pushed hard to move up, getting as high as 4th at one point.
When the competition caution came out, Morris sat in 6th place. One lap after the mandatory caution, he passed Hoek for 5th and set his sights on Johnson. For 3 laps Morris and Johnson traded positions multiple times until Johnson was able to make the pass stick. With 3 laps left Kincaid was able to capitalize on Morris getting a little sideway coming out of a corner. At the checkers Morris crossed in 6th place.
Saturday morning the crew took the opportunity to watch all the other drivers in the first practice session to utilize the information they saw in the second session. Based on the inversion of the previous day’s finishes, Morris would line up for the race on the pole.
Once the green flag dropped on Saturday night, Morris was off and running holding the lead for over 2 laps. He found a fast line running high through the corners that no other driver was having success with. On the 3rd lap Johnson was able to put a move on Morris and make the pass. Morris stayed close and was still in second at the mandatory caution.
The first lap after the caution, Morris was able to get up next to Johnson through the rhythms and on the table top but couldn’t make a pass stick. As the field came into the corner before the start/finish line, a late break caused Morris to push too hard and spin out. After the entire field of trucks passed him, he was able to make multiple passes and fight his way back up to 7th by the checkered flag.
With the first rounds of the 2012 season in the books, Flying Dutchman Off Road would like to thank all their sponsors and look forward to running at the top for Rounds 3 and 4 at Red Bud MX in Buchanan, MI.
Shawn Morris – PRO LIGHT #27 – Growing up in Colorado, Morris has always been involved in motorsports. He began his professional race career in 2008 in the Super Buggy class. In 2009 he won the points championship and moved into the Pro Light class for 2010. For 2012 Morris is the driver for Flying Dutchman Off Road and looks to prove to his competitors that a privateer can win!
Mikey Vanden Heuvel – PRO 2 #77 – In 2008 Mikey won his first championship in the 1600 Light Buggy class. He went on to win the Super truck points championship in 2010. Due to budgets, VandenHeuvel will be running a limited schedule for 2012 in the Pro2, but will also take the position of crew chief for Morris.
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Category: Press Releases, Race Recap
