Lovell Wins Big At The Big House, Sets New Track Record

| June 21, 2012

LovellCrandon3Colorado Springs, CO 6/19/12 – Brad Lovell set the pro-light class on fire this weekend at Crandon International Raceway setting a new track record during qualifying and winning Round #5.

“We had a great test day out here with Nissan and the extra effort really paid off,” Brad said after smashing the pro-light track record by over a second with a 1:24.4. “Thanks to our sponsors we finally have the ability to fully test and tune the truck. The balance and speed has greatly improved.” The team had the top qualifying time but the inversion set them in 6th for the legendary land rush start.

Clouds gathered and made the track a quagmire as the pro-light field staged. The mob entered turn #1 and Lovell got tagged landing sideways off a jump. He was able to save it from a spin but lost valuable positions. Just as quickly the lead trucks spun and the #44 AMSOIL / Torchmate / BFGoodrich Nissan sling-shotted to the front, a position that would not be relinquished for the rest of the race. “The conditions were terrible,” added Lovell, “I got mud behind my tear-offs and had no visibility for a long time. I finally cracked my visor open and put my hand over my face.”

LovellCrandon2The win marked Lovell’s second in a row giving him the series points lead and $1000 for the fastest lap during the race. “The whole team has worked so hard! It is really rewarding to see everything coming together.”

Fortune was not as kind in Round #6 when Lovell was struck and spun on the first lap moving to the back of the field. A multi-truck collision during a botched restart damaged the Fox shocks and Lovell was only able to climb to 5th before the checkers were out. Lovell concludes, “Its disappointing but doesn’t change the fact that we have the fastest truck out here. We’re just getting started.”

For the first time ever, Ultra 4’s raced at Crandon and were a favorite amongst the crowd. In the mix was Roger Lovell in the familiar #232 AMSOIL / Torchmate / BFGoodrich rock racer and crew chief JT Taylor in the Torchmate #13.

Roger got a great start but was sideswiped in turn #1 sending the truck into the wall. He was able to get it back in control and spent the rest of the race chasing down Taylor who worked his way through the field. Roger closed the gap in the last turn contacting his Torchmate teammate before Taylor pulled to finish only feet ahead of Lovell to make it to the podium with a 3rd place finish.

LovellCrandon1With nearly a month before the next TORC race in Chicago live on the SPEED channel July 19 & 20, Lovell Racing now focusses on the most unique race of the season – The 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The #44 AMSOIL / Torchmate Pro-Light will be modified to run in the Pikes Peak Open Class (in which Lovell has two podium finishes). “We have some new tricks to employ now that the course is fully paved, including some BFGoodrich G-Force race slicks,” said Lovell, “Its time for a crash course in pavement racing!”

2012 TRAXXAS TORC SERIES PRESENTED BY AMSOIL
4/20 & 21 Charlotte, NC * Live on SPEED 4/20
5/26 & 27 Red Bud, MI
6/16 & 17 Crandon, WI * Includes Ultra 4 Racing
7/19 & 20 Chicago, IL * Live on SPEED 7/20
8/11 & 12 Bark River, MI
9/1 & 2 Crandon, WI * World Championship Racing
9/29 & 30 Antelope Valley, CA * Traxxas Pro-Light Cup

About Lovell Racing: 25 years ago, Brad Lovell was bouncing around in the back seat of his father’s Bronco in the backwoods of Colorado. The family camping trips turned into a passion for Brad and his brother Roger. After spending a decade tackling the toughest off-road trails in the country the pair entered their first rockcrawl and went on to win 6 consecutive season championships. Since then the brothers have earned multiple wins while racing in nearly every type of off-road discipline – desert, rocks, hill climbs, and short course racing. The team’s focus is winning the TORC Series where Brad pilots the #44 AMSOIL Torchmate Nissan Frontier. The 2012 season holds a variety of races for the team including King of the Hammers, Vegas to Reno, the 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and World Championship racing at Crandon. Follow Brad at Facebook / Lovell Racing.

Lovell Racing Team Partners:

AMSOIL, NISSAN, BFGoodrich Tires, Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems, Lincoln Welders, Spidertrax Off-Road, 4 Wheel Parts, Tailready Wheels, Aeroquip Performance Products, Fox Racing Shox, FK Rod Ends, Motive Gear, Eibach Springs, Robinson Construction, Powertank, Howe Performance Power Steering, Dynotech Driveshafts, and Proformance Unlimited


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