As the hot summer sun dipped beyond the mountains that tower over the fastest short course off road track in the West, every one of the sold out crowd on hand soon discovered that on this night stars weren’t only to be found in the cool night sky. The mean and fast Lake Elsinore facility where the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) competitors waged a no-holds-barred war of horsepower and driving prowess proved to be the location where memories were made and the stars shined brightly.
Coming off a dominating victory just one month ago at the same Lake Elsinore race facility, Robert Naughton and Team ReadyLift Racing looked to continue the winning ways they have exhibited all year long in the highly competitive LOORRS Unlimited Lite class. After winning the first four races of the year, fellow UL drivers Chris Brandt, Brian Deegan, Todd Cuffaro and Rodrigo Ampudia, just to name a few, have seriously stepped up their game.
After qualifying in the blistering heat followed by the standard qualifying inversion which is decided by a randomly drawn number, Rob “Fig” Naughton and the Team ReadyLift® Racing No. 54 Ford lined up in the sixth position on the starting grid.
When the green flag was tossed to the wind Rob immediately mounted a charge through the crowded corners, carefully navigating ReadyLift Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Lucas Oil, KC HiLites, Edge Performance, RC10.com Ford around the banging fenders and slick spots. One by one Naughton muscled the No. 54 Ford around and passed those he started behind. Nearing the front the battle became much more difficult as Brandt and Deegan were on rails and set on kill.
With thousands of fans standing and cheering the efforts of the lead group on the final lap, Rob found the line he needed on the second to last turn. Deegan went wide while Rob took the inside and set up a beautiful slide move in the final lap to take the lead exiting the final corner. A floorboard-bending drag race down the front stretch ensued. When the coveted checkered flag waved it was Naughton edging out Deegan by one truck length and sealing the deal on win number six for 2009!
This unbelievable 2009 season would not be possible without the support of the great companies supporting Naughton in his bid to be the first Unlimited Lites Champion of the new Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Those supporting companies include ReadyLift Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Lucas Oil, KC Hilites, Edge Performance products, Team Associated RC10.com, PosterHanger.com, Fox Racing Shox, Raceline Wheels, MasterCraft Seats, Belts and Suits, Esslinger Engineering, Dirt-Tech, HJC Helmets, Ringers Gloves, Leatt Brace, Action Auto Gearboxes, and Coconino Auto Supply, BMC Media, Kartek, SignPros, WebCam, and BlueMedia.
Four more races remain in the 2009 LOORRS season. Next up will be rounds 9 & 10 at SpeedWorld Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona on October 17-18.
