NASCAR’s Robby Gordon maintains Overall & SCORE Trophy-Truck Points Lead

NASCAR’s R. Gordon maintains Overall & SCORE Trophy-Truck Point lead after three of five races in 2009 SCORE Desert Series Other class point leaders include Brian Wilson, Lawrence, Holmes, Carr, Chamlee, H. Steele & Stacy

    LOS ANGELES—Following his dominating season-opening victory at January’s 15^th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, a runner-up finish at March’s 22^nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 and a solid seventh in June’s 41^st Tecate SCORE Baja 500, NASCAR Cup owner/driver Robby Gordon has kept himself at the top of a very crowded Overall leaderboard in the 2009 SCORE Desert Series point standings.

      With 209 points, Gordon, 40, who returns to his desert racing roots as often as his NASCAR schedule allows, also leads the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck class for high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks in his No. 77 Team Gordon Chevy CK1500.

     With just 38 points separating the top 20 in 2009 SCORE Overall points, SCORE racers are now preparing for the 14^th Annual SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300, to be held in Primm, Nev., Sept. 11-13. The computerized drawing for starting positions, by class, for Round 4 of five-race World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be held at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles this Saturday, August 8.

     Wilson Motorsports of Long Beach, Calif., currently leads two classes as well as being second and 10th in SCORE overall points after three races.

     With two Class 1 open-wheel desert race cars and two Class 1-2/1600 open-wheel cars with 1600cc VW engines, Randy Wilson, 50, the middle of three racing Wilson brothers, leads Class 1 and is 10^th in overall points with 183. Ronny Wilson, 47, the youngest of the brothers, is fourth in Class 1 with 150 points while leading Class 1-2/1600 and second in overall points with 202 is Brian Wilson, 24, Randy and Ronny’s nephew and son of Rick Wilson, 53, the oldest of the three Wilson brothers. In Class 1, both Wilson brothers drive Chevy-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race cars.

     With a fourth place class finish in Laughlin, followed by a second place in San Felipe and fourth in Ensenada in a Kreger-VW, Brian Wilson is a field superintendent for the family business-Norm Wilson & Sons, a prominent Southern California general contracting company. Wilson is receiving considerable help this season from veteran co-driver Sammy Ehbrenberg, Las Vegas, who splits the driving with Brian Wilson when not mentoring him in the sport.

     Brad Wilson, 20, who is Ronny’s son, also races in Class 1-2/1600 in a Penhall-VW. Ronny Wilson has also entered a Jimco-VW in SCORE Lite, giving Wilson Motorsports five entries in the upcoming SCORE race in Primm.

     “Wilson Motorsports has obviously made a significant commitment to SCORE racing this season and so far we are very, very pleased with the results,” said Ronny Wilson. “We still have two races left though and a lot of tough desert racing miles in both the US and Mexico.  We have worked very hard as a team and as dads and uncles, it’s really inspiring me for and my brothers to see Brian and Brad doing well in the sport we love so much.”

     Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., is driver of record for his family team and is third overall and second in Class 1-2/1600 in with 200 points in a Neth-VW.

     After winning Class 10 in San Felipe in his Lothringer-VW, Mike Lawrence, Banning Calif., is leading the class he won the season championship in last year and stands fourth in SCORE overall points with 197.

     SCORE points are based on starting and finishing as well as the number of starters in each class and placement position in every race.

     Tied for fifth in overall points are a pair of SCORE class point leaders. With 190 points and undefeated with three class wins each this season are: Kevin Carr, San Diego (Class 5, open VW Baja Bug) and Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif. (Stock Mini, Honda Ridgeline).

     While the top six in the 2009 SCORE Overall point standings are just 19 points apart, seventh through 10^th place are separated by a mere six points.

     Class 7 point leader Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., who has two race wins this season in a Ford Ranger, is tied for seventh overall with 189 points with Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., who is third in Class 1-2/1600 points in a Fraley-VW.

     Fourth in Class 1-2/1600 and ninth in SCORE Overall points so far is Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., with 185 points in a Curry-VW.

     One of three female regular racers this season, Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., leads the Class 6 points in the Desert Assassins Ford Ranger. Steele’s husband Cameron Steele is ninth in SCORE Trophy-Truck points. Michelle Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., is fifth in SCORE Lite and Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif., and her all-female team, is tied for second in the motorcycle Class 20 points.

     Heidi Steele won a SCORE season point title last year was in Class 7SX and this year she has driven in two classes and also stands in fourth place in Class 7 in another Desert Assassins Ford Ranger.

     Among the car and truck classes, other point leaders include: John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif. (Class 7SX, Ford Ranger), Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va.. (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 5/1600, 1600cc VW Baja Bug) and Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico (Class 11, stock VW Sedan).

     With motorcycles and ATVs racing in the three SCORE Baja races, the team of Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./Craig Smith, Brawley, Calif./Kyle Corfman, El Centro, Calif., leads the open motorcycle Class 22  standings with 150 points after the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 on a Beta RR450.

     Leading the overall motorcycle and Class 30 (motorcycle riders 30 years old and older), Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., with 159 points on a Honda CRF450X.

     The defending Class 25 open ATV championship team led by rider of record Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif., on a Honda TRX700XX has 149 points.

     Leading the overall ATV and the Class 24 point standings with 163 points is the team led by defending Class 24 season point champion Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif., on a Honda TRX450R.

     Among the other motorcycle class point leaders are Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif. (Class 21, Honda CRF450X), Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif. (Class 50, Honda CRF450X), Brian Campbell, Bakersfield, Calif. (Class 40, KTM 450XCF) and Hector Castillo, Calexico, Calif. (Class 20, Yamaha WR250).

     Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, American Suzuki, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

      For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

2009 SCORE Desert Series

Point Leaders (as of 8/4/09)

(Through 41^st Tecate SCORE Baja 500-Ensenada, Mexico, Remaining races: 14^th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300-Primm, Nev., Sept. 11-13; 42^nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 19-23)

Top 20 Overall Cars and Trucks

(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)

1. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 209

2. Brian Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Kreger-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 200

3. Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 200

4. Mike Lawrence, Banning, Calif., Lothringer-VW (Class 10), 197

5. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (Class 5), 190

5. Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif., Honda Ridgeline (Stock Mini), 190

7. Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., Fraley-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 189

7. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7), 189

9. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., TL-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 185

10. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1), 183

11. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 180

11. Mario Gastelum, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 180

11. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7SX), 180

11. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Moulton-VW (SCORE Lite), 180

15. Ed Stout, Santa Ana, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 179

15. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 179

17. Adam Householder, Orange, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 176

18. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 6), 174

18. Alsonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (Class 5/1600), 174

20. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Chevy Silverado (Class 8), 173

 

2009 SCORE Desert Series

Class Point Leaders

 (With Class wins in parenthesis)

Pro Cars and Trucks

     SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK—1. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (1), 209; 2. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram 1500 (1), 180; 3. Ed Stout, Santa Ana, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 1179; 4. Adam Householder, Orange, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 176; 5. Greg Nunley, Tulare, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 168; 6. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 164; 7. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 155; 8. Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 151; 9. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 148; 10. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 134.

     CLASS 1—1. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 183; 2. Harley Letner/Kory Holopoff, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy (1), 167; 3. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW, 160; 4. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (1), 150; 5. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 143; 6. Armin Kremer, Germany/Andreas Aigner, Austria, Jimco-Chevy, 142; 7. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 138; 8. (TIE) Dale Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Penhall-Chevy and Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 126.

     CLASS 1-2/1600—1. Brian Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas, Kreger-VW, 202 ; 2. Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW, 200; 3. Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., Fraley-VW (1), 189; 4. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., Curry-VW, 185; 5. Mario Gastelum, El Centro, Calif., Curry-VW, 180; 6. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 179.

     CLASS 3—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (2), 105.

     CLASS 5—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (3), 190.

     CLASS 5/1600—1. Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico (1), 174.

     CLASS 6—1. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif./Ross Savage, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 174; 2. Marc Burnett, Chula Vista, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 100.

     CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 189; 2. Igor Galvan, Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 139; 3. Jose Canchola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford Ranger (1), 132.

     CLASS 7SX—1. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 180; 2. Norman Turley, Long Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger, 100.

     CLASS 8—1. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Chevy Silverado, 173; 2. Juan Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Ford F-150 (1), 91.

     CLASS 9—1. Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif., Venegas-VW (1), 110.

     CLASS 10—1. Mike Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif., Lothringer-VW (2), 197; 2. Scott Gailey/Scott Whipple, Norco, Calif., GET-VW, 168; 3. Tito Robles/Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda (1), 137.

     SCORE LITE—1. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Chuck Sacks, Canyon Lake, Calif., Moulton (1), 180; 2. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., Duvel-VW (2), 141; Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz., Foddrill-VW, 137; 4. John Langley, Santa Monica, Calif., Penhall-VW, 97; 5. Michelle Bruckmann/Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 92.

     STOCK MINI—1. Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif., Honda Ridgeline (3), 190.

     PROTRUCK—1. Gary Magness, Denver, Ford F-150, 39

     CLASS 11—1. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (2), 150.

     STOCK FULL—1. Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Dodge Ram1500, 99.

Pro Motorcycles

     CLASS 22—1. Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./Jimmy Lopez, El Cajon, Calif./A.J. Stewart, Jamul, Calif., Beta RR525 (1), 150; 2. (TIE) Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif./Quinn Cody, Los Olivos, Calif./Jeff Kargola, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X and Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico/Brent Harden, Menifee, Calif./Jose Villalobos, Tecate, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 147; 4. Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 145; 5. Adrian Butler, Canada, Honda CRF450X, 82.

     CLASS 21—1. Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif./Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Nicholas Blais, Chino, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 146; 2. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 143; 3. Ronnie Wilson, Glendale, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 141; 4. Jeremy Purvines/Ron Purvines, Henderson, Nev./Scott Glimp, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X, 135.

     CLASS 20—1. Hector Castillo, Calexico, Calif./Rene Pojodes, Mexicali, Mexico/David Gonzalez Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Yamaha WR250 (1), 140; 2. (TIE) Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif./Talya Dodson, Truckee, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Honda CRF250X and Manuel Reyes, Dulzura, Calif./Javier Ochoa, Tecate, Calif., Yamaha YZF250, 131.

     CLASS 30—1. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X (2), 159; 2. Sean Bradley, Ridgecrest, Calif./Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M., Kawasaki KX500, 143; 3. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Tom Willis, Las Vegas/Derrick Paiement, Corona, Calif./Brian Sweany II, Lancaster, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 136.

     CLASS 40—1. Brian Campbell/Bill Cotton, Bakersfield, Calif./Pete Cochran, Laguna Beach, Calif., KTM 450XCF (1), 148; 2. Julio Abril/Oscar Hale/Mario Acosta, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha WR450, 144; 3. Scott Myers, Menifee, Calif./Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif.,/Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda CRF450X, 132.

     CLASS 50—1. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./Dan Dawson, Agua Dulce, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda CRF450X (1), 144; 2. Charlie Marshall, Carmichael, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Dave Potts, Burbank, Calif./Chuck Sun, Las Vegas, KTM530XCW, 134.

     CLASS 60—1. Richard Jackson, Acton, Calif./Bill Nichols, Phoenix, Honda CRF450X (1), 85.

Pro ATVs

     CLASS 25—1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Harold Goodman Jr., Brownstown, Mich./Josh Caster, El Cajon, Calif., Honda 700XX (1), 149; 2. Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif./Brandon Brown, Eumantilla, Ore., Suzuki LTR450 (1), 140; 3. Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Alfonso Cota, Tecate, Calif./Javier Robles Jr., Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico/Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 95.

     CLASS 24—1. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif./Dave Scott, Belen, N.M./Andy Lagzdins, Baltimore, Honda TRX450R (2), 163; 2. Roberto Ruiz/Francisco Espinoza, El Centro, Calif., Honda TRX450R; 138; 3. Luis Berumen/Sergio Lopez, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 132.

     CLASS 26—1. Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo./ Benn Vornadakis, Rico, Colo./Tony Valerio, Telluride, Colo., Arctic Cat (2), 150; 2. Rob Ransford, Downers Grove, Ill./Tim Winiarski, Carson, Calif./Joe Rice, Lomita, Calif., Can Am Renegade, 98.

Sportsman

     SPT TRUCK—1. Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger, 97.

     SPT CAR—1. Peter Lang/Terry Cottar, Santa Rosa, Calif., Homebuilt-Chevy, (2), 165.

     SPT UTV—1. Thomas Graves, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha Rhino, 104.

     SPT M/C>250cc—1. Jeff Leonard, Bakersfield, Calif./Eugene Lane, Redondo Beach, Calif./Jack Cox, Oceanside, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 173.

     SPT M/C<250cc—1. Humberto Valle, Tecate, Mexico/Javier Ochoa/Ivanhoe Ochoa, Tecate, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 160.

     SPT ATV—1. Manuel Jimenez/Carlos Lopez/Carlos Castaneda, San Felipe, Mexico, Honda TRX450R (1), 161.