Crandon Int'l Off-Road Raceway news 2009-09-06

Hord Outlasts Kincaid to Win 3rd Annual FCP "Decision at Sundown"

CRANDON, Wis. -- Crandon International Off-Road Raceway kicked off its 40th Anniversary in a huge way Friday night as Chad Hord out-dueled Jeff Kincaid to win the 3rd annual FCP "Decision at Sundown" Pro Light Pickup Cup Race. A record Friday night crowd saw Hord push to an early lead in front of Kincaid. By the halfway mark, Kincaid had slipped past Hord and look to have the race in hand. Following a competition yellow flag, Kincaid broke a wheel, leaving the door open for Hord to take the win. The race was marred by accidents, mishaps and frequent yellow flags as drivers pushed hard to take home special prizes at the opening 40th anniversary race in Crandon. Chris Brandt finished a strong second, followed by Mark Oberg.

***

SCOTT BEAUCHAMP WINS EXCITING 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MOLE LAKE CASINO OFF-ROAD CUP RACE
"Cousins Finish 1-2"

CRANDON, Wis. - The largest off-road racing crowd in the history of the sport witnessed a thrilling race for the World Championship Mole Lake Casino & Lodge Stock Truck Cup at legendary Crandon Raceway with Scott Beauchamp, Escanaba, Mich., taking the win.

The race capped a huge weekend at the "Big House" as a record number of TORC Stock Trucks - 18 - took to the starting line for the showdown race - and the final green flag of Crandon's historic 40th anniversary season.

Danny Beauchamp, Jr., Bark River, Mich., cousin to Scott, powered his way to an early lead but was soon overtaken by Al "The Outlaw" Konitzer. Konitzer, also sponsored by Mole Lake Casino & Lodge, led for the entire race. But with less than two laps to go, Konitzer lost a wheel, ending his bid for the Cup. Race winner Beauchamp had deftly moved his way through the field and took over the top spot. He charged hard to the finish line, taking the win and more than $3,000 - a record purse first place purse for the class.

Danny Beauchamp, Jr. finished second and Eric Ruppel, Chetek, Wis., filled out the podium.

The winner was presented a large Mole Lake Casino & Lodge silver Cup in Victory Circle by Sokaogan Mole Lake Band of Chippewa's Tribal Community Chairman Arlyn Ackley, Sr. Ackley was joined by Tom Van Zile, also representing Mole Lake Casino & Lodge, in congratulating the three podium finishers.

***

Kyle LeDuc Anointed 2009 "King of Off-Road Racing" Joins Father on famous BorgWarner Cup

CRANDON, Wis. - Kyle LeDuc, Beaumont, Calif., captured his first BorgWarner Cup win at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway in Traxxa TORC Series presentec by AMSOIL Pro 4x4 racing action Sunday. LeDuc, 26-year- old son of 1998 BorgWarner Cup champ Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., won a record $43,500 for taking the checkers in the pressure-filled TORC Pro 4x4 showdown. He joins Helio Castroneves, 2009 IRL Indy 500 winner, as winners of the top BorgWarner prizes in their respective Series.

It was the first time in history a "father and son" combo are together on short course off-road racing's most prestigious prize. Curt also finished third in the race to podium with his son. Rick Huseman, Riverside, Calif., finished third, rounding out an all-California podium.

The race -- for valuable TORC Series points, the $100,000 BorgWarner sterling silver and 18 karat gold Cup, the $7,500 Crandon BorgWarner "King of Off-Road Racing" Championship Driver's Award and a minimum $40,000 cash purse -- was won handily by LeDuc's glossy black Rockstar Energy Drink - Makita Tools - Toyo Tires Ford F-150 race machine.

The $40,000 - posted by Crandon in honor of its 40th Anniversary -- was increased to $43,500 when LeDuc crossed the finishing line in a Built Ford Tough truck. Ford, the official truck of Crandon Raceway and of the TORC Series, annually pays a Racer Performance Award to racers win the Cup in their vehicles. LeDuc also won a $2,000 Miller Electric Company plasma cutter as part of his earnings.

LeDuc was presented the traditional BorgWarner victory wreath by Erika Nielsen, director - marketing & public relations, BorgWarner Corporation. Also on hand in Victory Circle was BorgWarner's William "Skip" Cline, who presented the four foot high Cup, winner's purse check and special Crandon 40th anniversary BorgWarner Cup ring. Cline retired this year and was honored in a pre-race ceremony.

"This is big, awesome, just huge" gushed the new champion. "It's big for my team, for Rockstar, Makita, Toyo, my family, every single sponsor and teammate I have" said an elated LeDuc. "To join my dad on the Cup is incredible. And to win with the youngest crew chief in the sport is special too," he said.

TORC televised the race live on ABC-TV. The start of the race was marred by a multi-truck accident in Crandon's notorious Forest County Potawatomi turn one. LeDuc came out of the restart in first position and then dominated the entire event in a powerful display of savvy driving and full tilt horsepower.

"There was a lot of excitement in this TORC Pro 4x4 race - something for everybody," said Doug Davis, Crandon promoter. "We ran 22 races all weekend without a major mishap. But you put the country's top Pro 4x4 racers, the pressure of live ABC TV, big money, and a chance to be immortalized on the Crandon BorgWarner Cup together in one pot, and you are bound to see something extraordinary go down," he said.

The young LeDuc has carved out a place in history in off-road racing. He now reigns as the BorgWarner champion until the annual TORC off-road World Championships next year at the famous "Big House" track. For more information, visit torcseries.com and crandonoffroad.com.

-credit: ciorr