Race Recap – Chandler, AZ

Chandler, Arizona (April 14, 2018 Daniel Schenkelberg) – 

Trevor Leighton was eager to hit the track for round 1 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. The few rounds he ran last season only gave him a taste. Trevor is looking forward to applying his extensive racing experience to The Kryptek Polaris RZR, Walker Evans Racing, RJ37 Off-Road, Fly Racing, Sedona Tire & Wheel  full time in 2018.

“Coming into my first full season on the Lucas Oil Off Road National Series we set goals of finishing in the top ten consistently in both UTV classes.” said Leighton. “Racing a new turbo class this year we chose to do a deal with The RJ37 Off-Road program to prep all my Polaris RZR’s, I knew we would be competitive if I could drive the cars consistently up front.”

The team had the Polaris RZR’s ready to go for qualifying on Saturday. “I was sitting up front in qualifying so I knew I had to lay down a fast time to get good placement.” said Leighton. “My Polaris RZR was dialed and had me flying around the Wild Horse Pass track and ran the 4th fastest time. However, there was a six inversion which put us in the number 3 spot. With a new position we were looking to get out front of the pack quick.”

Anxious as the first race was about to begin under the lights in front of the huge Arizona crowd Trevor had no idea what was about to happen once the green flag dropped.

With motors roaring off the start Trevor was able to clinch a solid position in second behind teammate Ronnie Anderson “Upon the start I was able to jump right into second behind my teammate Ronnie Anderson. Half a lap later I was out front. I had never been in this position in this series so I told my dad on the radio “Put me where I need to be on the track and we will be ok.”

With clean air out front Trevor kept a steady lead on the pack and stayed consistent which put him on top of the box for the first race ever for this new Turbo UTV class! “To lead the rest of the race and win my first national race in a brand new class is something I didn’t think would come this season.” said Leighton. “I’m so excited to get this win under my belt and in the books for me and all of my sponsors and the RJ37 Off-Road team.”

Once night fell it was time for the highly competitive Production UTV Race. Qualifying did not go so well getting stuck in the back of the pack, Trevor was being held up by some of the slower guys which placed him 13th position for the start.

“I knew coming into the race I needed to drive the wheels off the car and get to the front as fast as I could.” said Leighton. “Starting that far back you end up next to some guys that aren’t the smoothest drivers so you have to stay out of trouble.”

Trevor started making calculated passes working his way to the front when he got caught up in minor incident. “As I was coming up through the field slowly I had a mechanical issue in the whoops section causing me to collect my teammate Ronnie as well. I was really bummed to ruin not only my race but his as well knowing that we both belong up front.”

After an amazing amount of abuse, and going to the back of the field twice, Trevor was still able to work his way back to a 14th place finish.

“I’m ready to hop in the truck next weekend in the California regional and then get prepared and do the work that needs to be done for the next National Race on the beach in Mexico. I can’t thank everyone who has given me the tools I need to get this first win and hopefully I can get some more wins for them this season. It’s an amazing feeling to be the first winner in the LOORS production turbo class and hopefully we can say we are the champions at the end of the season!”

-Leighton Motorsports 

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