Due to the large total field of competitors, Best in the Desert decided to have two races. One race to start in the morning at 5:30 am, and an additional one in the afternoon starting at 1 pm. Each race would have a 7 hour time limit. All the Jeeps installed the IriTrack web tracking devices along with the new scoring transponders.

Both the Full Traction and Dust Junkie teams assisted by providing measuring templates to ensure legal vehicle dimensions. Representatives from our sponsors; ATK Engines, GearHeadJeep, Rubicon Express and Currie Enterprises also assisted in the Jeepspeed pre-race tech. The Chase One support crew measured suspension limits on first time entries.The Currie Jeepspeed Cup attracted a varied field that had to be divided due to some vehicles not complying with Cup rules. The highly anticipated Rubicon Express 4-door Wrangler arrived with a 720 HP all alloy, dry-sump Mopar sprint car engine. Also, an application came in from Matt Pike to race his V8 Ramcharger with Jeepspeed, resulting in a two-car Class. Because of this, Gavin Skilton decided to join in with his SCORE Class 6 Cherokee, to make it three. This left Jon Krellwitz and Gregg Jackson to do battle for Jeepspeed Cup honors. Both classes decided to combine prize money on a winner-take-all basis with points and trophies awarded to each class.

The Jeepspeed classes took the starters flag at 6:10 am, just as the sun was coming up on a wonderful day. Colorado rookie Gregg Jackson had drawn pole position in his Currie Cup V8 Cherokee and was noticeably nervous with Jon Krellwitz on his tail with the high powered Outlaws was close behind. Unfortunately, Gregg blew a rear diff in the first 5 miles. Jon went by him but stopped to assist Gregg Fouts in righting his 7,000 pound Ford V10, which had just flipped in front of him.

Ryan Wallace was at the wheel of the 700 HP Wrangler which came to a stop with ‘new car blues’ at about mile 20. Gavin Skilton had a flat at mile 4 and the entire Jeepspeed Challenge field went by him while Pike's Ramcharger was long gone. Skilton lost a front shock at mile 50.

The Jeepspeed Challenge Cherokees and Wranglers went off the starting line at 30 second intervals led by Tom Barnett’s Wrangler, from pole position down to Brian Dodge's Cherokee that was the last to leave. The dust was horrendous as there was no early morning breeze. It was so bad that numerous race cars ended up clipping rocks and getting flats. Several took wrong turns in the bad visibility.

This first lap was fast and furious and was virtually impossible to decide who was where on corrected time, with the exception that number 1705, Mike Shaffer had opened up a surprisingly significant lead by pit 2 at mile 57.5.
 As the race progressed, several teams were having problems. We had reports of a roll over by Gregg Szymanski and another report of James Hunt lying on his side. Both were helped by fellow competitors to get them rolling again. Gregg traded Eric Heiden a spare wheel for stopping and pulling him upright.

Other reports coming in were that the Rubicon Express Outlaw Wrangler was stationery with rear drive or chassis problems. John Krellwitz lost one of his full floater axles. Gavin Skilton with his front shock reservoir adrift and brake problems. However, despite the problems the Jeepspeed Challenge regulars were having a great battle running in tight groups with only seconds dividing them.

This Primm race course was a little different from past events and had some really fast sections mixed with the usual rough stuff. It seemed the Wranglers were faster in the rough while the Cherokees were faster on the rally type roads.

At the finish line 4 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds after the start our 2007 Champion, No. 1714 Ray Griffith and his Cherokee was our winner. In second place, the new Wrangler team of No.1736 Perry Coan followed 7 minutes later. Third place went to No. 1725 Bob Standage in another Cherokee only 5 minutes back. Then, only 16 seconds later, Jeff Jordan took 4th place. His Cherokee was carrying an in-car camera for the TV broadcast coming in September or October. The footage will be exciting!

At one time there were more than a dozen Jeepspeed cars in the finish line impound area illustrating how close the race was. There were only16 seconds between 3rd and 4th place and Bob Roggy beating Brian Dodge by only 2 seconds for 7th place after Brian pushed his car into the finish. There were only 48 seconds between Shane Connelly and James Hunt for 12th  and 13th places. This is Jeepspeed racing at its best.
  
In the Currie Jeepspeed Cup Class the win went to Jon Krellwitz taking first place. This was his first race with the new Wrangler powered by an ATK 4.7 Stroker, installed the day before the event.

The newly formed Jeepspeed Mopar Outlaw Class went to Gavin Skilton in his 6 cylinder Cherokee while Matt Pike took second place honors in his V8 Ramcharger. Ryan Wallace and Mike Barnett suffered new car teething troubles in their new 4 door Wrangler but their 720 HP Mopar motor sounded sweeeet!