McGrath Takes 1st win in Pro-2 and anger management training fails in Pro-4 at Bark River, MI.

Record setting heat and humidity welcomed fans and racers in Bark River, MI for the return of the Traxxas TORC Series on Aug. 14-15. And while everyone managed the heat as best as possible on Saturday, tempers flared up as the temperature cooled off on Sunday.

Bringing some of his own heat was Marty Hart. He brought his Pro-Light truck from the LOORRS Series and gave the Pro-Light class his “Hart Attack” routine and ran away with the race until the mandatory caution flag waved. Traxxas racer, Andrew Caddell, timed the re-start just right and nosed in next to the # 15 Stronghold, Maxxis, Kolpin truck through turn 1. But Marty’s suspension setup worked just a tick better over the mogul section and he pulled into the lead. Caddell never left his bumper, waiting for a mistake or better line to open up. With 2 laps to go, Andrew pressured Hart even more to make a wrong move, but the Hart Attack truck would never have it and took the win. Ross Hoek followed in 3rd for his 2nd podium of the season.

Casey Currie corrected the tire issues from Saturday and took the holeshot at the drop of the green flag. Marty got stuck in traffic with Ross Hoek, Brad Lovell and Mark Oberg. As they fought for position, Currie pulled away until Hart & Oberg cleared the others and starting gaining on him. Things looked to repeat for Marty when he grabbed the lead with Currie & Caddell in tow. As they raced through the switch back and crested the Monster Hill a couple laps later, Marty’s truck had mechanical issues and his day ended early. This opened the door for Currie & Caddell to fight for the win while Maxxis teammates, Randy Eller and Shawn Morris duke it out with Luke Johnson & Oberg for the 3rd spot. Before the white flag was waving, Johnson made his way past the competition and followed race winner, Caddell and 2nd place Currie to the podium.

In Pro-2 it was all Jeremy McGrath. He nailed the holeshot and was followed by Ricky Johnson and Rob MacCachren. Jeff Kincaid pushed his way into the mix. At the half way mark, Mc2 hit his mark and held the lead with RJ, Kincaid and MacCachren right on his tail going into turn 1 when both Rob and Chad Hord spun around full circle. Luckily, the rest of the field avoided contact and everyone gave chase to Jeremy. Rob made up ground and got by Kincaid as he spun out and fell back. Then a clean pass on RJ was all he had time for as Showtime McGrath grabbed his first career Pro-2 win.

Sunday, Kincaid said it was time to get back to his winning ways and that he did. Flag to flag, Jeff led the pack and they fought and banged door to door. Jeremy, Dan Vanden Heuvel and Rob MacCachren proceeded with a 3 way fight after RJ dropped out with issues. Then the Flying Dutchman headed for the pits with damage never seen before. A huge hole in the rear-end housing. With his race over, Jeff & Jeremy ran nose to tail to the finish line. Rob took the 3rd spot and Hord followed for 4th place.

Rick Huseman and Johnny Greaves put on an off-road racing spectacle that will be talked about for a long time. They came out of turn 1 together leaving the rest of the field behind after 2 laps. Scott Douglas, running his back-up truck, held the 3rd spot looking for a mix up by Huseman or Greaves where he could make his move to the front, but never happened. Rick & Johnny made a bigger gap to 3rd after the mandatory caution. Like synchronized swimming, Rick & Johnny made smooth, clean passes on each other and schooled everyone on professional off-road racing moves. Quotes of “Poetry in motion”, “the best Pro-4 racing battle I’ve seen” and “2 of the best racers, it doesn’t get any better” were heard in winners circle. Greaves & Huseman commented the race was the most fun they had racing for the lead. On top at the end was Huseman, followed by Greaves, then Douglas.

Sunday’s Pro-4 event was when all hell broke loose, from busted fiberglass panels, damaged or missing grills, bumpers to major hits that took out other drivers. Scott Douglas was the race leader with Mike Jenkins, Mark Jenkins and Steve Barlow clustered right behind him.

Huseman & Greaves were chasing through the traffic while Douglas was taking advantage of a small lead. One by one, Rick picked them off as Johnny tailed him. After 4-5 laps, Scott lost his advantage with the Monster, BFGoodrich teammates ready to tag team him. Rick got by and another lap or 2, Greaves made the pass on Scott. By then, the yellow flag waved. Huseman put his Toyota Monster # 36 in front again coming out of turn 1, while behind him, Scott hit Johnny’s right front, knocking Greaves out and putting Douglas in 2nd followed by Mark Jenkins and Barlow. When Rick went off course later, Mike took the lead. Going through the moguls, it looked like Douglas & Huseman were not giving each other an inch and Rick got pushed off course again and Mark was on the inside of both and took command of 2nd. Couple laps later, Scott & Mark were racing for 2nd when Mark looked to have more momentum coming out of the starting line sweeper and tagged Douglas rear bumper, causing both to spin a 360 and let Huseman by. He went after Mike and took the lead. This left Jenkins brothers to fight for 2nd place. After lots of trading places, spins, hitting & slamming each other, Huseman came out on top with Mark & Mike in 2nd and 3rd.

Back in the pits, finger pointing, heated discussion and video reviews took place. Everyone kept cool for the most part, but nothing in the way of penalties, as of this report.

In sportsman classes, Matt Gerald swept the Light Buggy events while Mike Vanden Heuvel took both Limited 2wd races and John Fitzgerald grabbed back to back wins for the Light Buggy class. John Frana won for the 2nd time this season on Saturday in Super Buggy, followed by Bob Klaus and Scott Schwalbe. Scott returned to the top of the podium with Frana in 2nd and Steve Krieman in 3rd on Sunday.

After being off the whole season due to lack of sponsor dollars, Al Konitzer and Ben Wandahsega returned to racing and both found the podium. Ben claimed 2nd behind Vanden Heuvel on Saturday and Al took the win in Stock Truck. Scott Beauchamp fought his way to the 1st place finish in Stock Truck with Eric Ruppel in 2nd on Sunday.

Next up on the TORC circuit is Route 66 Speedway in Joliet, IL. It will be a Pro only, 2 night event held on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 25th & 26th. NASCAR racer, Kyle Busch will be making his first career short-course off-road race both nights. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night at Chicagoland Speedway and the IRL series races on Saturday.