With the motorcycles and ATVs already off the line earlier this morning, it was time for the trucks, buggies and UTVs to take to the 821.38-mile course for this year’s Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000.
The safety of the racers is paramount at every off-road race, but so is the safety of the spectators, and that’s why SCORE delayed the Trophy Trucks about 36 minutes so that the local policia and safety workers could move spectators in the wash away from the Baja 1000 course. At close to 11:40 a.m. the first Trophy Truck team of Justin Matney and Ricky Johnson left the line in Ensenada, with Johnson taking the truck for the first leg of the race.
While everyone in the class will be gunning for the overall victory, others will also have championship aspirations on their mind. A Mexican nationalist has never won the Trophy Truck Championship, but that could all change this year, as the top three racers in the point standings are all of Mexican descent. Gustavo Vildosola Jr., who was second off the line behind Johnson, leads the field at 326 points, with Eduardo Laguna at 304, Apdaly Lopez in third at 279. Race veteran and Las Vegas resident Rob MacCachren sits in fourth at 279 points, and defending Trophy Truck Champion Steven Eugenio rounds out the top five with 261. It’s going to be an exciting day of racing no doubt.
The Trophy Truck leaders are expected to finish the race in the 15- to 17-hour range, putting the first Trophy Trucks back into Ensenada late tonight or early tomorrow morning. For the live feed of the race, head over to score-international.com, and be sure to check back for more coverage on Off-Road.com
MORE BAJA 1000 COVERAGE
5 Minutes with Dust 2 Glory Director Dana Brown