Crandon Curse Strikes Morris
It has been said by many drivers that there is a curse at Crandon. When it hits you know. When Shawn Morris and team arrived in Crandon they had no idea the curse would get them.
After running over 60 laps of practice at Crandon the week before, the confidence was high going into Rounds 7 and 8 of the TRAXXAS TORC Series. But then the rain clouds rolled in. Intermittent rain showers and all-out downpours canceled all scheduled events for Friday. With even more rain overnight Friday, the officials were forced to push back racing to allow more time for the track to dry and again cancel practice.
“It’s a good thing we were able to practice here last week,” stated Morris. “It seems like TORC just can’t catch a break with Mother Nature this season.”
By the time the Pro Light class took to the track, conditions were desirable with minimal dust and few puddles. With qualifying canceled Morris would start the famous Crandon land rush from the 3rd position. After settling into the 5th position early in the race, Morris slowly made ground towards 4th place. When Greaves had to pit at the competition caution, Morris moved into the 4th position. With just a handful of laps left Morris was on the bumper of the 4th place truck and pushing hard. With 2 laps remaining, Morris would set up a pass in the “Argonne loop” but on the following corner he threw the truck in deep and got up on the bicycle but was unable to save it. The truck ended up rolling onto its right side and the safety crew didn’t get him over and he ended up finishing 11th.
Having to start from the 11th position from the roll the day before, Morris knew he would have to be methodical and work his way through the pack.
“I ran a high line into turn one that would keep me out of trouble, or so I thought. In the middle of the corner, another driver pushed across the track and slid into my right quarter and spun me sideways.”
While spinning around two trucks had no place to go, hitting Morris and causing a red flag situation. Unfortunately none of the three trucks would be able to continue on due to the other driver’s mistake.
“In 14 races at Crandon, I have one podium but 6 DNF’s. I can practice and qualify so well there, but when it comes to race time, the Curse always seems to get me. Its a shame that three trucks were taken out by one driver in just the first turn,” explained Morris. “I’m just so disappointed after Crandon and can’t wait to go to Joliet for some true short-course racing.”
Up next this weekend July 19th and 20th, for the team is the Motorsport Mecca of Route 66 Raceway at Chicagoland Speedway. TORC will be the opening act for the Rally, Rock & Race Weekend that will feature live music, car show, an ARCA Series race, and a NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Opened in 1998, Route 66 Raceway will be celebrating its 15 season in operation in 2013. The facility boasts a quarter mile drag strip as well as a half mile dirt oval, all in the shadows of the 1.5 miles tri-oval of NASCAR’s Chicagoland Speedway.
For more updates and live streaming video throughout the weekend log onto www.torcseries.com and redbull.tv. Follow the race team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram for up to the minute updates and results. Watch Round 10 on SPEED Channel Saturday 7/20 at 8:00pm CST with a re-air at 11:00pm CST.
Shawn Morris Off Road Racing would like to thank all their sponsors that make racing possible: Maxxis Tires, AMSOIL, FK Rod Ends, PAC Racing Springs, Proformance Auto and Diesel Repair, Advance Auto Parts, ProPower, Method Race Wheels, Yukon Gear and Axle, Sunoco Fuel, Impact Safety, Oakley, R2C, and Proformance Media.
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Category: Press Releases
