Renezeder Wins Inaugural Rockstar Energy Drink Lucas Oil Challenge Cup

LAKE ELSINORE, CA (December 19, 2009) – Carl Renezeder set the perfect mood for the Rockstar Energy Drink Lucas Oil Challenge Cup this afternoon while answering a question for the NBC show during the opening pace lap: “After the season we’ve had, this is icing on the cake. This race is gonna be like a day at the beach…nothing but fun. I’ve got 19 trucks in front of me, and I’m lickin’ my chops.”

The green flag dropped, and he played it perfectly. In a very methodical, quiet manner, he picked off truck after truck, and in just eight laps of racing he found himself in third place when the mandatory caution flew. At the restart, he took his time over the next few laps getting around the final two trucks, and then cruised to his eleventh victory of the season, his 87th in his short course career, and capped off a historical season of winning simultaneous Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 championships.

With a short off-season ahead of the team, the crew will get to work during the holidays and just after the year to be ready to test before the 2010 season starts March 6-7 right back here in Lake Elsinore, California. The season will also see two stops in Nevada, one stop in Utah and three stops in Arizona. Team Renezeder will again chase the two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive championships in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, looking to duplicate this phenomenal year.

Today’s racing action will air on NBC on Saturday, January 2nd at 2:30 PM Eastern time.

# # #

Renezeder Wins U2 & U4 Championships

PRIMM, NV (November 15, 2009) – In a span of just three short hours this blustery afternoon in the high desert of Primm, Nevada, Carl Renezeder went from five-time to seven-time national short course champion by winning the Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 titles in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series’ inaugural season.

“This is unreal,” expressed a stunned but ecstatic Renezeder after winning the second championship. “I’m so proud of my guys and so excited for our sponsors, my family and my fans.”

The day wasn’t without drama. With only five points separating Renezeder from second-place rookie, Jeff Ward, the team had to finish within two positions of Ward to lock up the title. In the final corner of the final lap, Todd LeDuc got around Ward, and Renezeder was crowned Unlimited 2 champion by just one point. This was his fourth two-wheel-drive championship of his career.

In the Unlimited 4 category, the cushion was a bit bigger, with a 17-point lead ahead of Alan Pflueger. Adrian Cenni made contact with Renezeder in turn one just after taking the green, and the field stacked up behind them, putting Pflueger upside down and damaging Renezeder’s truck. The race had a complete restart and in the end, Pflueger had too much damage to continue. His DNF locked up the championship for Renezeder, who then took the opportunity to race his way to the front. He worked his way up to the third spot on the podium and finished the season with championship number seven, his third four-wheel-drive championship.

“A brand new series, a brand new tire, and our team was able to put together a season like this…amazing,” concluded Renezeder.

The team will wrap up its season with the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup in Lake Elsinore, California on December 11-12. It will be all about big cash a bragging rights, and they’ll get to do it with the number one plate on both trucks. History is in the books.

See photos from the 2009 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Awards Banquet

# # #

Team Renezeder’s Two-Minute Drill

LAKE FOREST, CA (November 11, 2009) – The final points races of the season for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series this weekend, November 14-15, in Primm, Nevada, for Team Renezeder can easily be compared to football’s two-minute-drill. And for Carl Renezeder, he’s done enough this season to go into the drill with the points lead and the ball, but the defense still has timeouts left and a wicked pass rush. Renezeder can’t just take a knee and let the clock run out.

“Technically, it’s ours to lose,” comments Renezeder. “We go to Primm with the points lead, but the margin is so tight it’s really anyone’s game. We’re on the offensive. We have to go out there and win races if we want to win championships.”

Led by crew chief, Mike Seat, Team Renezeder has long had one of the most mechanically sound, performance proven short course teams in the country. With well over 40 wins and four national championships in the last five years, amongst a tumultuous competitive climate at best, the team has shown that it can handle anything that’s thrown its way. If Renezeder is the quarterback, then Seat is the wide receiver that you can always count on to get his hands on the ball and his two feet in-bounds when you need a first down or six points.

“Sports analysts always talk about how critical team chemistry is for a successful program, and it’s hard to explain to anyone that’s never been part of a winning team,” explains Renezeder. “But if you’re one of our lucky eight, you know exactly what successful team chemistry feels like. It’s not all positive and happy all the time. That’s not it. It’s about how we deal with defeat, just as much as how we deal with victory; it’s about what we do when the cameras are off and no one is watching. It’s about strong character and accountability, and we feel lucky to have found a combination that works.”

When the final checkered flag waves on Sunday night, racing’s equivalent of the clock hitting zero, the champions will be crowned and another season will simply be part of the history books. Will Renezeder and his number-one-rated offense have done enough for two titles, or even one? Time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the entire team will leave nothing on the sidelines. Every fan and every team will know that Renezeder and his crew put ounce of effort they have into winning it all, so that if they do they will have truly earned it, and if they don’t then they’ll have no regrets.

# # #

Team Renezeder Enjoying the Journey

LAKE FOREST, CA (October 20, 2009) - With over a decade of short course racing under his five-point harness, Carl Renezeder has enjoyed the highs, endured the lows, been knocked out of races in more ways than most rookie drivers can imagine, won races on the start, as well as the final corner, lost races on the last lap and before the race has ever started, and it’s starting to sink in that it’s not the end results that define a race season, let alone a career. Bad weekends don’t have to make you feel miserable, and stellar weekends aren’t required to make you feel great. It’s not singular moments that define a team, but the accumulation of learning experiences, successes, failures, and most importantly, how you react to each and every one of them. It may be cliché to say that it’s about the journey rather than the destination, but when you’ve arrived at goals you’ve set several times over in a career, the cliché becomes more and more profound.

This past weekend at Speedworld Motorsports Complex in Surprise, Arizona didn’t host any profound revelations for Team Renezeder. There were great moments like a win, two second-place finishes, and a fourth place finish that could have just as easily been a DNF. There were frustrating moments like the fuel system gremlin in the Unlimited 4 that just won’t go away, 100-degree weather for the umpteenth time this season, and getting passed on the restart of the final race, which led to an unfortunate chain of events. But, the most important realization this past weekend was the understanding that good or bad, each thing that happens should be a learning lesson, not simply a catalyst for emotional reactions.

“We have one race weekend left in the championship chase,” explains Renezeder. “But the last weekend of the season carries the same weight as the first one and all of the subsequent ones, which means we’ll approach the race in Primm the same way we did the season opener: with the goal to win all four races. If we let the emotions of a championship cloud our judgment, we’ll end up on the defensive rather than the offensive, and that’s not our style. We won’t go out there hoping to hang onto our points lead; we’ll go out there to show why we’re on top of the points to begin with. If we do our job, the championships will work themselves out. If we don’t, it won’t mean that our season was for not. We have a lot to be proud of already, and we have a lot of things we know we can continue to improve upon. What more can you ask for in a season?”

Renezeder and his crew will spend the next few weeks preparing for the final points weekend of the season in Primm, Nevada on November 14-15, enjoying the success of the season so far, laughing and joking in the shop like they always do, all the while focusing on the job at hand. They will arrive in Primm with every tool in their arsenal ready for battle, and they will fight for the championships at stake. Only time will tell if their efforts were enough, and that anticipation is all part of the excitement.

The events of this past weekend in Arizona will be aired on SPEED Channel on Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. In the meantime,check out webisode three of TR17: Firin’ on All Eight to see how the team dealt with Sunday’s racing in Lake Elsinore this summer.

# # #

Racing Resumes for Carl Renezeder in Arizona this Weekend

LAKE FOREST, CA (October 13, 2009) – After a late summer hiatus by the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, racing picks back up this weekend, October 17-18, in Surprise, Arizona (in the Phoenix area) for rounds nine and ten of the twelve-race season. Carl Renezeder will climb into his championship-leading Lucas Oil/General Tire trucks on Friday with the hopes of qualifying on the pole for Saturday’s races and will attempt to win four for four at Speedworld Motorsports Complex.

“The break in racing gave us a chance to test some new stuff on the trucks and prep for the final four races of the season,” explained Renezeder. “We’re more than ready to get back to the race track.”

During the break, the team was able to put the trucks on display at Off-Road Expo, where Renezeder signed autographs at the General Tire display and participated in a Team Associated R/C celebrity race. This Saturday evening at the event, immediately following the Unlimited 2 race, he will again be part of a Team Associated pro/am race, as they team R/C pros with LOORRS heroes for a race that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Outside of the shop, Renezeder used the time off to participate in a nine-mile Aquathon near Laguna Beach, race a 24-hour mountain bike event in Idyllwild and successfully complete the Mission Viejo Triathlon.

“Health and fitness are an integral part of my family’s lives, so it was nice to use the break in the schedule to compete in a few events,” commented Renezeder.

No doubt that physical fitness will come in handy this weekend, as temperatures in the desert are forecasted to reach the high 90s at race time. The Unlimited 4s will run at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, while the Unlimited 2s will close out both days at 4:45 p.m. Television coverage of the event includes SPEED Channel on November 7 at 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., as well as VERSUS on April 3rd, 8th, 10th and 15th all at 5:00 p.m. Check your local listings to confirm dates and times.

# # #

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Announces 2010 Schedule

Corona, Ca. (October 12, 2009) - The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) 2010 schedule will be comprised of fifteen championship rounds of racing held over eight event weekends at tracks located in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. The short course off road racing season will conclude with the Rockstar Energy/Lucas Oil Challenge Cup at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on December 12th.

The 2010 season will see the addition of three rounds of racing over the 2009 schedule while the Challenge Cup races will now be contested on the final Sunday of the season. The series returns to Primm, Nevada, SpeedWorld in Surprise, Arizona and Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in California while Phoenix Firebird Raceway and Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah, will be hosting their first ever short course off road races. "Our successful inaugural season has allowed us the opportunity to expand the series into these fantastic new venues and build strong partnerships as we bring short course off road racing into new markets," said Lucas Oil Products Executive Vice President, Bob Patison.

Miller Motorsports Park adds the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series to a schedule that sees visits by the FIM Superbike World Championship, NASCAR Camping World Series, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, American Le Mans Series, and numerous other motorsports events. Just outside of Salt Lake City, the state of the art facility is considered the finest facility of its type in North America. "Miller Motorsports Park is excited to host the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series in 2010," said John Larson, Miller Motorsports Park Senior Vice President/General Manager. "This series adds another interesting facet to the variety of events that we offer, one that we think will be very popular in this market. Lucas Oil Products is an innovative, forward-looking company whose business philosophy aligns nicely with our own, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them." The off road track, with signature high flying jumps and whoop sections, will be built within the tracks existing 4.5 mile circuit.

Contributing to the strong short course off road fan base developing in the Phoenix region is the addition of Firebird Raceway to the 2010 LOORRS schedule. "We are thrilled to be partners in such a great event with the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. This is going to be wonderful for the Phoenix area," said Charlie Allen, President and owner of Firebird Raceway. Firebird, host to NHRA Nationals, the IHBA Finals, Monster Trucks, and other events, will be the location for the season finale in December. Mike Kessler, Sales Director of Firebird Raceway, had this to say, "Myself along with the entire staff at Firebird Raceway are so pumped and excited to partner with LOORRS and host a killer event for the fans!"

The 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season kicks off March 6th at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex in Lake Elsinore, California.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series - 2010 Schedule

• March 6 and 7 - Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex (Lake Elsinore,CA)
• April 10 and 11 - Speedworld (Surprise, AZ.)
• May 22 and 23 - Primm Motorsports Complex (Primm, NV.)
• June 26 and 27 - Miller Motorsports Park (Tooele, UT.)
• August 7 and 8 - Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex (Lake Elsinore, CA.)
• September 18 and 19 - Speedworld (Surprise, AZ.)
• October 23 and 24 - Primm Motorsports Complex (Primm, NV.)
• December 11 and 12 - Firebird Raceway - (Phoenix, AZ)

About the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series:

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, LOORRS brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit LucasOilOffRoad.com

# # #

TR17: Firin’ on All Eight – Webisode 2

LAKE FOREST, CA (September 12, 2009) – Following the popularity of the premiere last month of the web video series for Team Renezeder, produced by Pipeline Digital Media, the team released the second webisode today of TR17: Firin’ on All Eight.

The first webisode introduced the team members and took viewers into the race shop, while this second webisode will take viewers through a load day, set-up day, practice and one race of a typical race weekend for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, set in Lake Elsinore, California. Viewers get an inside look at the workings of this wacky, but winning, team as they prepare for and participate in some of the most exciting racing out there.

“We had a lot of great feedback after the first webisode and are excited about the continued storyline in this second one,” explained Carl Renezeder. “Fans will get to see the intensity of a 15-minute short-course race from our team’s perspective, and they’ll get a glimpse of the monumental effort it takes to prepare for a weekend of racing.”

The first and second webisodes are available for viewing here on our webside (see Photos and Videos page for video links). and also on Vimeo and YouTube – search for Team Renezeder.

# # #

No Crandon for “Crandon Carl” Renezeder

LAKE FOREST, CA (September 1, 2009) – The Fall Crandon event is epic every year, and with this being the 40th anniversary celebration, it’s poised to be one of the most memorable of all. The racing is always outstanding, but it’s the fans that make it an experience teams never forget.

“Because the fans have treated us so well for so long, I feel compelled to send out this release explaining why we can’t be in Crandon this year, and to let everyone know that I truly wish I could be there,” commented multi-time World Champion, “Crandon Carl” Renezeder.

“As we put our original 2009 schedule together, we intended to put Labor Day Crandon on that schedule,” Renezeder continued. “However, Travis Coyne’s experience in Texas at the first TORC race of the season was a clear indication that we wouldn’t be allowed to run our trucks at a TORC event; we would run into the same sponsorship constraints. We were disappointed as we realized early in the year that Crandon most likely wasn’t going to be a possibility for us.”

Then, a few weeks ago Renezeder received a call on his cell phone from the Crandon community and the track asking if there was anything they could do to help the team come to the race. They wanted Renezeder there to help celebrate forty years of racing and hoped to highlight some of his achievements there over the last ten years.

“I felt honored to receive the invitation,” Renezeder humbly admitted. “My guys immediately got to the task of prepping the trucks, we booked hotel rooms, held flights and decided it was the right thing to do to make a couple of phone calls to the TORC decision-makers to make sure they were ok with us racing with them at this one event.”

Renezeder personally placed the calls to make sure the team would be welcome. Unfortunately, after a few days of phone calls, it became clear that the sponsor rules enforced at the Texas event would hold true at Crandon as well.

“The foundation Team Renezeder has built throughout the years is our commitment and dedication to our sponsors, so to ask us to censor any of our sponsors is not an option nor is it healthy for the future of our sport,” explained Renezeder. “This is why we won’t be able to race at Crandon this year.”

Renezeder went on to say, “I sincerely hope that someday in the future, we’ll be able to race again at the fabled Crandon International Off-Road Raceway. I’m extremely proud to have been part of the last decade of racing there and of my team’s accomplishments on the track. The fans are amazing and the atmosphere is indescribable. I wish the fans, the staff and all the racers a safe, successful, enjoyable 40th anniversary.”

# # #

TR17: Firin’ on All Eight – Series Premiere

LAKE FOREST, CA (August 7, 2009) – Today, Team Renezeder and Pipeline Digital Media announces the launch of a brand new web video series titled TR17: Firin’ on All Eight, showcasing the highs and lows and behind-the-scenes happenings of one of the most prolific teams in short-course off-road racing. The web-based series premieres with a nine-minute webisode introducing viewers to the team members and highlights of the team’s race shop. The series, all produced and aired in High Definition, will continue through the end of the season, with webisodes being released on the team website at regular intervals (see the Team Renezeder Photos and Videos page for video links).

“I think it’s important that fans of off-road get to see what it takes to win races and championships, and the kind of personalities that make our team so successful,” explains team owner and driver, Carl Renezeder, a five-time national champion. “This series will not only showcase our race season as it progresses, but it will take you inside the team and the shop, with all its comedy, seriousness, triumphs and failures. We laugh out loud most of the time at the stuff that goes on because we have trouble taking ourselves seriously. But about winning and championships: we’re dead serious.”

"This project has been in the works for over two years since Carl and I first started talking about it during Carl's appearance on our show Epic Ride in Baja. It's great to see it come together," says Todd Huffman, Producer. "The TR17 crew is unbelievably dedicated to winning, and it's great to show the public a little bit of the inside of the strongest team in short course racing."

The show will also be available for viewing on Vimeo and YouTube.

# # #

Renezeder Leads Points in both Divisions after Tough Weekend of Racing

LAKE FOREST, CA (July 29, 2009) – The start of the second half of the season was a tough one for Carl Renezeder and his team. Although they were able to walk away from the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex last weekend with two second place finishes in Unlimited-2, as well as the points lead in both divisions, the accomplishments were overshadowed by motor problems, mechanical issues and an all-night thrash on Saturday night to get the Unlimited-4 back to race condition.

“We’ll definitely head home tonight with our tail between our legs,” commented a somber Renezeder at the end of the Unlimited-2 race on Sunday night. “Trying to race without rear brakes in a two-wheel-drive truck is like stepping into a boxing ring with both hands tied behind your back. I had no game and had to take what the track would give me. I know I should be excited about a podium finish, but I didn’t get to fight for it, so it’s just not the same.”

The lack of rear brakes in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Unlimited-2 was just the last in a long line of troubles that plagued the team during rounds seven and eight of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The weekend started out well for the team when Renezeder qualified both trucks on the pole. Crew Chief, Mike Seat, drew four-row and three-row inverts for the Unlimited-4 and Unlimited-2 starts, respectively, putting Carl outside fourth row in the first race and outside third row in the second race on Saturday night.

The Unlimited-4 race seemed to start well. Hard contact from Kent Brascho on the first lap seemed to just be cosmetic damage, but the team would later realize that it was the start of catastrophic damage to a structural part of the chassis. After working his way to second place, Renezeder’s truck finally gave in, breaking major tubing out of the center of the truck, subsequently ripping out oil lines, the oil filter, killing the motor and damaging the entire drivetrain. With the raceshop only an hour’s drive from the track, the crew decided that it would be smarter to take the truck back to the shop to fix it with the right equipment. But, they still had another race to finish before they could be on their way.

Saturday’s Unlimited-2 race was well on its way to being another win for Renezeder; however, his ten-truck-length lead vanished on the last lap when the right rear tire came apart in turn three. He held onto the lead until the final turn, but couldn’t get enough drive off the corner to hold off Todd LeDuc.

With both races in the books, the team split up – half of them went back to the shop with the Unlimited-4, while the other half stayed to prep the Unlimited-2 for Sunday. When they were done with the Unlimted-2, they took a two-hour nap and then headed to the shop to relieve the others for a couple of hours. By 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, the entire crew was working on the truck, and at 5:00 p.m. they rolled into the track with a race-ready truck. A two-lap shakedown proved that their hard work had paid off; their truck was ready for the 7:15 p.m. start.

A “Cinderella Story”, however, would not be the result. A few laps into round eight of Unlimited-4, while well ahead of the field, the radiator cap came off the truck. Renezeder’s radio had also come unplugged from his helmet, so it wasn’t until the mandatory yellow that driver and crew chief were able to communicate. Renezeder was able to duck into the pits for a replacement cap and stay on the lead lap, but it was too late. Too much damage had been done and the truck DNF’d for the second time in as many races.

The crew looked and felt dejected and exhausted, and had one more race to go. Unfortunately, the brake problem surfaced early in that race, and they spent the closing laps watching water spit out of the overflow. The motor seized just after the checkered flag flew, adding insult to an injury-filled weekend.

“It’s weekends like this that make us appreciate the good ones,” concluded Renezeder. “And it’s also weekends like this that remind me of the championship-caliber crew I have. Never once did they complain about having to work through the night, their attitudes stayed positive, and they took it all in stride. We’re all disappointed about the results, but we also know that we’ll bounce back from this with our confidence intact, ready to win more races.”

Even after a tough weekend, Renezeder was able to hang onto the points lead in Unlimited-4, but the gap went from 24 to just four. In Unlimited-2, two second place finishes moved him from fifth in the standings to first, four points ahead of Jeff Ward. These races will air on SPEED Channel on Sunday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. EST.

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (July 22, 2009) – After enduring blazing heat at the end of June in Lake Elsinore, California, the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series took mercy on the fans and announced earlier this month that this weekend’s events will be held under the lights at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Fans, drivers, crew and track workers alike will benefit from night racing, where the racing action promises to be much hotter than the temperature.

“We’re really excited to run under the lights,” explains Unlimited-4 points leader, Carl Renezeder. “Not only will it be more enjoyable for the fans temperature-wise, but they’ll see even better racing because the track will hold more moisture. When we race in the heat of the day, the hot temps and the hot sun make the track go from sloppy wet to dusty dry in just a few laps. With the sun off the track, the dirt will have a chance to release that water slowly, giving us the opportunity to develop lines on tacky dirt throughout the race – just like you’d see at a sprint car or late model event.”

Rounds seven and eight will also mark the beginning of the second half of the season for the series, which will conclude its points championship at the Primm Valley Off-Road Raceway November 14–15. The series will then host a non-points, big-money, big-bragging-rights event back in Lake Elsinore on Saturday, December 12, where the best off-road racers will battle it out for the final time in 2009.

The first half of the season has played out pretty well for Renezeder. He has three wins out of six races in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Unlimited-2, and five wins in six races in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Unlimited-4. His driving skill set hasn’t translated directly over to the Team Associated RC10 celebrity races, but that’s coming along each weekend as well.

In the points chase, Renezeder leads the Unlimited-4 category by a 24-point margin, while he trails the Unlimited-2 leader by 13 points in fifth place.

“We’re chasing two points championships, just like we’ve done every year for the past eight seasons,” concludes Renezeder. “But each race day, we have our sights set on victory. Like my crew guy, Brett, said one Saturday morning: ‘the letter of the day is W, and today we’re looking for two of them.’ If you put the wins together, the championships will come.”

# # #

Three Wins for Renezeder in Lake Elsinore

LAKE FOREST, CA (June 30, 2009) – The brand new track at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex provided plenty of dramatic moments this past weekend for rounds five and six of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, but it couldn’t tame the likes of five-time national champion Carl Renezeder. In two brief practice sessions on Friday, Renezeder filled his mental notebook with everything he needed to take home three poles and three wins in four rounds of racing. Minor tweaks on set up throughout the weekend made his fast trucks faster still, and even the three-row inverted starts couldn’t keep Renezeder from claiming career wins 82, 83 and 84.

“I’m just the lucky guy that gets to drive these things,” commented an ecstatic Renezeder in a post race interview. “This track is so much fun to drive, and my guys gave me a flawless truck. What more can I ask for?”

With temperatures above the century mark all weekend, the team was lucky to have a driver that thrives on tough situations and has the physical endurance to stay at the top of his game in extreme conditions. And Renezeder was lucky to have a team that could endure the heat while prepping the trucks.

“The worst part of the heat for me was sitting in the trucks in staging where I couldn’t get any air,” explained Renezeder. “Once we were moving, it was easy to forget about the temperature. And, I admire all of my guys for pushing through the heat to prep these things like they did. With the relentless heat and dirt, they proved once again why we’re a championship team.”

The team faces another hot weekend of racing the end of July when the series returns to Lake Elsinore July 24-26. But before then, fans can catch the action of the past weekend on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00pm and 3:00pm (EST) on SPEED Channel.

# # #

Homecoming Week for Team Renezeder

LAKE FOREST, CA (June 23, 2009) – It’s homecoming week for Carl Renezeder and his Southern California-based race team. This weekend, June 27-28, Renezeder will pilot his Lucas Oil Unlimited 4 and Unlimited 2 trucks at a brand new short-course off-road track in Lake Elsinore, just a short drive from his team’s headquarters, for rounds five and six of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

“This is going to be an outstanding facility for the Lucas Oil Series,” commented Renezeder after a recent visit to the track, which included meeting the mayor of Lake Elsinore and several city officials. “The entire community seems to be in support of the event, and it’s in the heart of off-road country. Fans and racers alike are in for an amazing weekend.”

Renezeder has had a stellar start to the 2009 season with five wins, and he’s currently leading the Unlimited 4 points by nine. He’s only four points out of the Unlimited 2 lead in third place.

As if the phenomenal staff and facilities weren’t enough, the Lucas Oil Off Road Series, along with broadcasting partner E3 Spark Plugs, is posting an enhanced purse for the weekend. Unlimited 4 and Unlimited 2 drivers have a chance to chase down $10,000 for winning, $5,000 for second, and $2,500 for third in both rounds. Then two weeks later, fans and racers can kick back in the comfort of their own homes to watch the action again on SPEED Channel, as the event is due to air on Sunday, July 12 at 2:00pm and 3:00pm Eastern.

The series will reconvene at the Lucas Oil Motorsports Complex in Lake Elsinore for rounds seven and eight the weekend of July 25-26.

# # #

Lucas Oil Announces "Lucas Oil Challenge Cup" Season Finale

Corona, Ca. (May 20, 2009) - Lucas Oil is pleased to announce the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup short course off road racing season finale. The Lucas Oil Challenge Cup will be held at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex on December 12th and 13th 2009. The Lucas Oil Off Road Challenge Cup is a one race, winner take all, end of year short course off road shootout in which winners in all classes will take home a beautiful trophy, a generous check and off-season bragging rights. The event will be televised on a national prime time broadcast. Short course off road race teams throughout the country will have completed their season points championships and will be in the position to compete at the highest level, putting everything on the line.

Lucas Oil's Bob Patison spoke about the race. "We are going to establish the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup as a prestigious, annual, end of year short course off road racing event. It is scheduled to coincide with the conclusion of the off road racing season and with the significant purses up for grabs we are expecting a full field of drivers in all classes."

Drivers in the Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 (850hp two and four wheel drive trucks) will be racing for a $30,000 prize to the winner of each class with $15,000 and $7,500 to be awarded to the second and third place finishers. In a unique format, the Unlimited Lite Truck class will compete head to head for the first time ever in a major competition with the Unlimited Buggy Class for a $20,000 winning check and class superiority. Second and third place will receive $10,000. The Bully Dog SuperLite Class will be competing for a generous $20,000 purse with $10,000 and $5,000 to second and third. Finally, the Limited Buggy class will be competing for prizes of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000.

The shootout races will be held on Saturday, December 12th with an evening of practice, qualifying and elimination races to be held on Friday, December 11th. More information will be available as event details are finalized.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, LOORRS brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit LucasOilOffRoad.com

# # #

Renezeder Earns Wins 80 & 81 in Arizona

LAKE FOREST, CA (May 5, 2009) – On Saturday afternoon Carl Renezeder put his Lucas Oil/General Tire Unlimited 4 Ford in the winner’s circle for the 80th time in his short-course career. And then on Sunday afternoon he posted win number 81 in the same truck. A first-time facility at Speedworld Motorsports Park in Surprise, Arizona drew a standing-room-only crowd both days for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, and the event drew huge compliments from fans and drivers alike.

“The wins are great – that’s what we get paid to do,” explained Renezeder after Sunday’s victory, “but I love the battles. I had so much fun racing today.”

Renezeder and Alan Pflueger put on quite a show for the fans in the Unlimited 4 race on Sunday and both drivers climbed out of the trucks with genuine smiles. Inside, outside, high, low – they swapped leads several times, several ways, over several laps before Renezeder finally made it stick with just a few laps to go. He now leads the championship points race by eight points over Pflueger.

The Unlimited 2 races weren’t worth remembering for the team as Renezeder went from leading to points to third place after two disappointing rounds. On Saturday, a flat relegated him to an 11th place finish, while on Sunday he was black-flagged for pushing Greg Adler in turn four on the second to last lap, dropping him to an eighth place finish.

There’s still plenty of racing left to go in the season, and the team has its site set on more wins and two championships. The next event takes place the weekend of June 27 and 28 in Southern California at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex.

# # #

New Track for Team Renezeder
Rounds 3 & 4 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

LAKE FOREST, CA (April 29, 2009) – Coming off a fantastic opening weekend of racing for Carl Renezeder and his multi-time championship crew, Renezeder hopes to carry the positive momentum into rounds three and four of the brand new Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series this weekend in Wittmann, Arizona.

“We debuted our Lucas Oil/General Tire Unlimited 2 out in Primm and managed to put two W’s on the board,” explained Renezeder. “Not a bad way to kick off the year.”

Those two wins and another in his Unlimited 4 truck also marked the first three short course wins for General Tire. As newcomers to the short-course world, it was a great introduction. Renezeder has been key in the development of the brand’s short-course competition tire (the Grabber SC), and the General Tire engineers turned his feedback and suggestions into a competitive product in a short amount of time.

“My crew chief, Mike Seat, and I worked closely with the engineers at General Tire, and I believe we’ve come up with the right combination of compound and tread pattern,” detailed Renezeder. “We have a lot of flexibility with grooving and a great balance of durability and grip.”

While the team competes in the Phoenix area this weekend, the first two rounds of racing from Primm will air on SPEED this Saturday at 1:00pm EST. Today, Lucas Oil Off Road, in conjunction with Lucas Oil HD Studios, released a five-page list of television dates for the series that equates to over 100 original hours of broadcasts on five different networks: SPEED, NBC, Versus, Outdoor Channel and MavTV, as well as Spanish broadcasts on KWHY Ch 22. Visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com for more details.

“It’s such an exciting time in off-road,” concluded Renezeder. “We went from having a devastating end to 2008, to a future that’s never looked brighter for our sport. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

# # #

Carl Renezeder Makes History

LAKE FOREST, CA (April 7, 2009) – Carl Renezeder will forever be in the history books as the driver that won the inaugural race of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series on Saturday, April 4 at the Primm Valley Motorsports Complex in Primm, Nevada. In his brand new Unlimited 2, built by crew chief, Mike Seat, Renezeder also posted the first short-course win for General Tire’s Grabber SC, and then followed it up by winning the Unlimited 4 race that evening. He went on to win again in the Unlimited 2 on Sunday, and then ended the weekend early in the final Unlimited 4 race due to problems in the truck’s transfer case.

“I’m not surprised by what Lucas Oil was able to pull off for this first event, but I’m still blown away by the magnitude of it,” explained Renezeder at the end of the weekend. “They’ve put together a fresh approach to the television shows, the track surface was the best we’ve ever seen out here, and the event staff made the weekend really enjoyable. I feel so fortunate to be a small part of it all.”

The unpredictable and fierce desert wind shortened the practice and qualifying sessions on Friday afternoon, so the teams were forced to qualify the trucks during the Saturday morning practice sessions. Renezeder put the new Unlimited 2 and the championship-winning Unlimited 4 on the pole of their respective classes and then went on to win both races that afternoon.

Sunday’s qualifying was a different story for the team. While he still managed a second place starting position in Unlimited 4, the wet track conditions relegated Renezeder to a sixth place qualifying effort in the Unlimited 2.

Crowd-pleasing on-track battles ensued in both races Sunday afternoon, and Renezeder came out on top in the Unlimited 2. The Unlimited 4 race started out promising, but an electrical problem put him behind early in the race, then a part failure in the transfer case ultimately ended his day.

“It was disappointing to have to drop out of the last race, but there’s no way I can complain about anything this weekend,” concluded Renezeder. “We’re part of something great here, and we can’t wait to get out to Arizona for the next event.”

The racing from Primm is scheduled to air on SPEED May 2 at 1:00p and 2:00p. Next on the schedule for Team Renezeder are rounds three and four of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series at Speedworld Off Road Park just outside Phoenix, Arizona on May 2 and 3.

# # #

Carl Renezeder Set for Inaugural Lucas Oil Off Road Series Event

LAKE FOREST, CA (March 31, 2009) – After so much uncertainty at the end of the 2008 short-course season, the 2009 season comes alive this weekend, April 4-5, with more excitement than teams could have dreamed possible. Carl Renezeder, a five-time national champion with 76 career wins, climbs back into the driver’s seat for the first time in nearly seven months for the inaugural race of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series powered by Geico Powersports at the Primm Valley Motorsports Complex. On both a series level and a team level, Renezeder and his crew have a lot to look forward to.

“It seems like forever since I’ve seen the green flag wave,” commented Renezeder. “We’re excited to go racing out at Primm this weekend for a long list of reasons.”

Renezeder celebrates 11 years of racing with Lucas Oil this season, while Lucas Oil celebrates its 20th corporate anniversary. The company has also taken on the task of building a new off-road series, and in just a few short months has put together a long list of accomplishments meant to further the sport and benefit drivers and sponsors alike.

Here are just a few of those accomplishments:

• Brought aboard Geico Powersports as the presenting sponsor
• Secured 30 hours of timely tape-delayed original programming on SPEED, plus re-airs
• Secured live television on NBC for the final race of the season
• Secured additional television programming on Versus, Outdoor Channel and MavTV
• Set a six weekend schedule in the Southwest, with the intention of expanding to a national footprint in 2010 and beyond
• Brought aboard K&N for a purse money enhancement program that added $120,000 per race weekend for Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 (now $15,000 to win, $10,000 for 2nd and $5,000 for 3rd each race)

“In working with Lucas Oil for so long, we’ve been fortunate to watch them build and grow other sports from regional series to national successes,” explained Renezeder. “Some people may be surprised by what they’ve been able to accomplish is such a short amount of time, but we knew what they were capable of when they took on this project. The off-road world has always been lucky to have the support of Lucas Oil, and we’re proud to be a part of their team.”

On the team front, Renezeder also had some big announcements this off-season. Earlier this month, Renezeder made the jump to General Tire, looking to bring the brand its first short-course win and championship.

“We are so proud to add Carl Renezeder to Team General Tire,” said Tony Talbert, Light Truck Product Manager, General Tire. “Having a driver of his caliber will take our team to the next level, and will give our new Grabber SC tire a solid foothold in short-course racing.”

Additionally, Team Associated, the premier competition R/C manufacturer, has grown its involvement with Team Renezeder for 2009 and beyond, and has become the official R/C car company of the series. They just recently announced the upcoming release of the new SC10 (a 1/10th-scale electric R/C race truck) replica of Renezeder’s Unlimited 2 truck, set to be available to consumers in just a few short weeks.

And as if all this weren’t enough, Renezeder’s crew chief, Mike Seat, led the team in the building of a brand new Ford F150 Unlimited 2 truck this off-season, which will make its competitive debut this weekend as well.

“It’s a lot when you look at it in a single snapshot,” concluded Renezeder, “but we’ve never been the kind of group to stay at idle or be happy with the status quo. My team and my family love this sport, and we couldn’t be more excited about getting the 2009 season under way.”

The inaugural event kicks off Friday, April 3 with practice and qualifying, followed by rounds one and two of racing on Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.lucasoffroadseries.com for more schedule and ticket information. For more Team Renezeder information, please continue to browse our website.

# # #

Carl Renezeder Makes the Jump to General Tire

CHARLOTTE (March 25, 2009) — Champion short-course off-road racer Carl Renezeder has signed to race for Team General Tire for the new 2009 Lucas Oil American Off-Road Racing season. Renezeder will campaign in the Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 classes beginning April 4-5 in Primm, NV.

“We are so proud to add Carl Renezeder to Team General Tire,” said Tony Talbert, Light Truck Product Manager, General Tire. “Having a driver of his caliber will take our team to the next level, and will give our new Grabber SC tire a solid foothold in short-course racing.”

Renezeder has a long and storied career in off-road racing, going back to 1994. He has 76 Career Short Course Wins (65 in CORR, 10 in WSORR), including two Pro-4 Championships and two Pro-2 Championships; as well as a Class 1 win in the 1998 SCORE Baja 1000, and two podium finishes in the SCORE Baja 500.

“I’m very excited to become part of Team General Tire,” Renezeder said. “I saw how well the General Grabber desert tires did last year in their first season, and I knew that the General short course tire would be the tire to beat this year.”

General Tire is again ‘unleashing the fury’ in off-road performance for 2009, with the new Grabber Short Course tire the Grabber SC. Designed in size 35x12.50R17 for Unlimited 2 and Unlimited 4 drivers. Designed with a tough, three-ply Duragen™-reinforced body construction to stand up to the rigors of off-road conditions, the Grabber also features a newly-developed competition-specific tread compound. In addition, the Grabber name and General Tire logo are prominently featured on the sidewall in red and white letters.

The Grabber short course tire is the sister tire to the Grabber desert tire designed in size 37x12.50R17 for class 8 and trophy truck/trick truck and 35x12.50R17 for class 1, 6, 7, 7 S, stock mini and Protruck.

General Tire also has a complete line of Grabber tires for the passenger and light truck market, including the new Grabber DOT-approved off-road tire (released later this year); the Grabber HTS, which delivers the perfect synergy of comfort, durability and performance; the Grabber UHP, which sets a whole new standard in performance and ride quality for SUVs, light trucks and crossover vehicles; and Grabber AT2, designed for aggressive all-terrain traction in all weather conditions.

For more information on the Lucas Oil American Off-Road Racing Series, visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

# # #

NBC "LIVE" Programming for Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Corona, CA (March 5, 2009) - Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is pleased to announce that its last Championship race of the 2009 season will be broadcast live on NBC. The show will air this November on NBC in a primetime weekend time slot. The NBC live show will be in addition to the comprehensive Series coverage on SPEED. The 2009 NBC live coverage is in large part due to the sponsorship support of the Series received from GEICO Powersports, the recently named Presenting Sponsor of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Lucas Oil and GEICO Powersports are dedicated to increasing the live coverage of the Series and are diligently working towards more live television events in 2010.

"This is an exciting time for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the Short Course Community in general. I am delighted with the NBC opportunity to showcase this wonderful sport and it is a great compliment to the SPEED television package. This, along with the addition of GEICO Powersports as Presenting Sponsor, sets the stage for a very bright future."
- Bob Patison, Lucas Oil Products

# # #

2009 Off Road Racing Kick Off Party

Corona, CA (March 5, 2009) - The 2009 off road, short course season kicks off in grand style on March 20th at the luxurious Ménage Hotel in Anaheim, CA. It has been a long off season and the anticipation of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is tremendous. Just to get everyone a little more hyped up, a party to end all parties is being thrown. The pre-season kick off party, hosted by the new SuperLite Racing Championship presented by Bully Dog, will include a night full of: entertainment, food, drinks and the biggest names in off road racing rubbing elbows and doing a little bench racing before the season kicks off.

"It should be a lot of fun for sure. The first official pre-season test is just 2 days later on the 22nd in Primm. This will be the first time all the big drivers, teams and sponsors will be together since last year. I am sure they will all be talking a little smack about one another" stated Mike DeFord of Bully Dog Technologies.

A number of high profile television, print and web media companies will be attending the party and covering the festivities. They will also get an exciting first look at the new SuperLite trucks that promise to be a big hit this year. Super Lite offers drivers a number of options. Drivers can simply rent a truck through our all new Arrive and Drive program, or they can purchase a turn-key, race-ready truck at a minimal investment. Dirt Sports magazine will be present bringing their own excitement to the party as the 2008 Dirt Sports Magazine Driver of the Year will be crowned.

The party will be open to the general public as well as members of the off road racing community.

For further information and to get your invite visit www.bullydoghideout.com

# # #

GEICO Named Presenting Sponsor of Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Corona, CA (March 4, 2009) - An agreement has been reached between GEICO Powersports and Lucas Oil Products Inc. making GEICO the presenting sponsor of the all new Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. This multi-year deal opens the doors to many new possibilities including but not limited to an expanded 2009 schedule and enhanced television coverage.

Lucas Oil is committed to this new venture and will make all of its managerial, marketing, television and financial resources available to ensure the long term success of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

GEICO has already been a major partner with Lucas Oil Products with their involvement in Team Lucas, as well as their title sponsorship of Morgan Lucas's NHRA drag team and the EnduroCross Motorcycle series. This new deal solidifies the relationship between the two great organizations and will bring great things to the off-road community as GEICO is fully committed to the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

The 2009 schedule is still being developed. Confirmed race dates as of this announcement are as follows:

April 4-5 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV
May 2-3 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
June 27-28 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
Aug 1-2 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
Oct 17-18 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
Nov 14-15 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV

# # #

Lucas Oil Acquires Complete Ownership of the American Off Road Series

Corona, CA – (February 4, 2009) – Lucas Oil Products has finalized an agreement with Tony and Sherry Vanillo to acquire complete ownership of the newly formed American Off Road Series. The Series has been renamed the “Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series”. Lucas Oil will operate the Series under its racing division, I-10 Race Promotions, Inc. Lucas Oil currently owns and operates two race tracks, the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, California. Lucas Oil also owns and operates three racing series and sanctioning bodies: the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and the Southwest Modified Series (currently entitled the Super Clean Modified Series-presented by Lucas Oil). Additionally, Lucas Oil is an integral part of the race team operations of Morgan Lucas Racing (NHRA Top Fuel Division) and Jason Patison Racing (NASCAR Camping World East Division). The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be added to the mix of these racing assets. The business structure is already in place to hit the ground running with this new Off Road series. Lucas Oil is committed to this new venture and will make all of its managerial, marketing, television and financial resources available to ensure the long term success of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

The 2009 schedule is still being developed. Confirmed race dates as of this announcement are as follows:

April 4-5 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV
May 2-3 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
June 27-28 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
Aug 1-2 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
Oct 17-18 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
Nov 14-15 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV

Racing venues in the Mid-West and Southeast are also under consideration, as additions to the 2009 schedule noted above. Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri is a strong candidate, as are several other sites in Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia. It is imperative to the long term growth of the sport that a national footprint be established, if not in 2009 definitely in 2010. Lucas Oil will ensure that this in fact happens.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be televised on SPEED, with 18 original hours of programming currently committed to the sport. The contract with SPEED is firm for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The show will be co-hosted by Ken Stout and Cameron Steele. The production services will be provided by Lucas Oil Production Studios, with the most current state of the art High Definition equipment. Lucas Oil will use at a minimum: 10 stationary track cameras, 1 jib mount camera for top down angels, 3 ENG cameras for pit reporting and mobile shots, 3 Point of View cameras to capture jumps and speed shots and, multiple on board cameras for a behind the wheel perspective. Special effects, customized graphic packages and 3-D animation will be featured in each show to enhance the quality and entertainment value of these productions.

Secondary airings of selected classes and special features will be produced for the Versus Network to further showcase this new Series and the Off Road Racing industry in general, currently 4 one hour episodes are scheduled. The Bully Dog Unlimited Super Lite class will be produced for Outdoor Channel, with a minimum of 10 half hour episodes. Following original airing network commitments, the shows will be distributed internationally through MavTV and will be seen in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world. Lucas Oil is a major equity partner of MavTV, a new cable and satellite network focusing on programming for men. This comprehensive television package will provide the broadest and most diverse coverage ever afforded the sport of off road racing.

Tony and Sherry Vanillo, along with their team of loyal supporters, will remain heavily involved in the Series, as key employees. Their duties will include race day operations along with tech and safety responsibilities. Tony and Sherry Vanillo have issued the following statement:

“In light of recent events and with the best interest of the short course off road community in mind, we would like to announce that we are conveying our ownership of the American Off Road Series to Lucas Oil Products, Inc. We will continue to be a large part of this endeavor and will be working very closely with the Lucas Oil staff. We feel this move will create the best possible foundation for the new series and will provide the long term stability that is so crucial in this unstable economic time. We look forward to a long relationship with Lucas Oil Products and are excited for the new prospects this company will bring to the short course off road community.” --February 4, 2009.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is open to all competitors and all sponsors. There will be a fair and level playing field for everyone. Participating sponsors will be pleasantly surprised with the marketing value they receive, as Lucas Oil is keenly aware of what is needed to justify a sponsorship commitment and to drive sales for those participating. There will be no restrictions imposed to prevent multiple OEM’s from participating and receiving fair and proportionate treatment, this applies to vehicles, tires, consumer goods, etc.

NOTE: Lucas Oil Products will GUARANTEE all race event purse pay outs and, year end points fund.

Anyone who would like to obtain additional information on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series can go to www.lucasoil.com

# # #

The Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series
Kicks Up the Dirt For The 2009 Short Course Season

Hesperia, CA – (January 9, 2009) – Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series will kick off its 2009 inaugural season on April 4th & 5th at the Primm Valley Motorsports Complex in Primm, NV.

“Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series will prove to be the premier short course racing series in 2009.”
– Tony Vanillo, CEO, Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series

The 2009 schedule is as follows:
- April 4-5 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm NV
- May 2-3 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittmann, AZ
- June 27-28 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
- Aug 22-23 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
- Oct 17-18 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittmann, AZ
- Nov 14-15 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV

“Lucas Oil Products is lending its full support to Tony and Sherry Vanillo, to help guide short course off-road racing in a new direction. Lucas Oil has been involved in off-road racing for almost twenty years and I cannot remember a time when the sport has needed leadership more than now. I believe the Vanillos have the right business concept, the sponsorship support, driver support and promoter involvement to make this new series viable. Lucas Oil is committed to this Series and is proud to have it called the Lucas Oil American Off Road Series. Lucas Oil Studios will be providing the television production services, with 13 original one hour HD episodes airing on SPEED. Additional coverage of selected classes within this Series will also be featured on the Outdoor Channel.”
- Bob Patison, Executive Vice-President, Lucas Oil Products

"We are very excited to be involved with the series and to be working with companies like Lucas Oil and General Tire. This marks a new and great direction in off-road motorsports. We are proud to be a part of it."
- Mike DeFord, Bully Dog Technologies

“General Tire is proud to be apart of the Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series in its inaugural year. General Tire has had a long standing partnership with Lucas Oil and this is just the next step in our continued support of Lucas Oil events. We are committed to providing products for short course racing in 2009 and will continue to support the off-road community with the same excitement General Tire brought to desert racing in 2008.”
- Travis Roffler, Director of Marketing, General Tire

This high impact, televised series will showcase the following 2WD & 4WD truck classes:
- Unlimited 4 Full-size 4WD race vehicles, V8 engines, 800 + HP
- Unlimited 2 Full-size 2WD race vehicles, V8 engines, 800 + HP
- Unlimited Lite Compact/Mid-sized 2WD race vehicles, 4 cylinder engines, 300 HP
- Super Lite Mid-size 2WD, two seat, 200 HP- Unlimited Buggy 1650 cc water-cooled 4 cylinder and VW Type 1 engine
- Limited Buggy 1600 cc VW Type 1 engine
- KART Single seat, custom-built mini race trucks, Drivers 8 - 15 yrs old. 50 MPH

Additional Sponsors and Sponsorship packages will be announced in upcoming weeks.

About Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series
Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series was formed by Tony Vanillo in 2009. Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series is based in Hesperia, California and is a short course racing sanctioning body. The series was born from a style of racing which began in the early 70’s and hit mainstream in 2006. Lucas Oil American Off-Road Series brings intense, adrenaline, action-packed racing to spectators and television viewers. www.americanoffroadseries.com

# # #