Radar Tires carry Mike Johnson to 15th place Pro Lite Unlimited

In its second Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing (LOORS) Pro Lite Unlimited class event of the weekend, Radar Tires and driver Mike Johnson finished in the 15th position, but for the team records, it was a first place effort.

Johnson, driver the No. 31 Bronson Motorsports Toyota Tacoma sponsored by Radar Tires, experienced steering issues during Sunday’s qualifying session.  Following qualifying, Johnson and the team diagnosed the steering problem as a loose line from the overnight truck rebuild, which caused a leak during the entire qualifying session.  As a result, Johnson would start in the 22nd position for the race.

In a similar fashion to his Saturday LOORS race, Johnson charged his way through the field.  During the first lap, Johnson made up seven positions and was running 15th.  By the tenth lap, Johnson was running sixth in class.  Johnson radioed the crew indicating that he was having a problem with the right front shock; however, the Radar Tire-equipped truck was still on a charge.

Lap 13 was the turning point in the race.  In turn five, Johnson went wide and hit a dirt berm with such force that the impact ruptured the right rear Radar Tire.  It was replaced in the hot pit and Johnson returned to the track two laps down to finish the race.
 
On the final lap (Lap 17), Johnson was en route to a tenth place finish when he was hit by another competitor.  Johnson was hit so hard that the truck rolled over and safely landed on the Radar tires before limping across the finish.  Johnson emerged uninjured and was ultimately ranked in 15th position at the end of the day.  

“We demonstrated again today that the Bronson Motorsports Radar Tires Toyota had the pace, but we fell prey to a wide line and then got hit by a competitor,” Johnson said. “Running near the front of the class today was gratifying, but the final result is not what we wanted. I can't wait to get to Vegas next month and demonstrate what this team is capable of doing on the track.  We learned plenty this weekend and we know we have the right equipment and tires to finish on the podium.”