The return of stadium short-course racing to San Diego made its mark when Robby Gordon brought his Stadium Super trucks to town. Southern California, as well as Qualcomm stadium, have a rich history in off-road racing, as much of the culture around the sport is heavy in the area. Many of the superstars of off-road from past and present are from the surrounding areas. Legendary off-road names such as Ivan Stewart and Ricky Johnson are from the surrounding areas as well as new upcoming stars such as Justin Lofton, Sheldon Creed and Lalo Laguna.

Connecting the racers with the fans, Stadium Super Trucks invited people to meet their favorite drivers during the on track meet and greet or “track walk,” where fans crowded to grab a photo or an autograph.

More Stadium Super Trucks Coverage
Robby Gordon Wins Coliseum SST Race

Justin Lofton Wins Long Beach Round 2

SST Opening Round in Arizona

Round 4 of the Stadium Super Trucks turned out to be an exciting night of racing, which started with the first heat race when Lalo Laguna came up short on one of the cross over jumps plowing his SST truck into the face of the landing ramp. Laguna was ok but his truck couldn’t continue. Justin Lofton, who had just flown in from a first-place finish at the BITD Silver State 300, would take the win in the first qualifier.

The Super buggy race was intense as any with some serious rough driving between Rob Archibald and Eddie Tafoya. The two battled it out lap after lap until they took each other out and let Apdaly Lopez by for the win. Lopez, who is from nearby Tecate, Mexico, only had two words for the crowd during his podium interview - “Viva Mexico!”
 

If you haven’t seen a modified Trophy Kart race then it’s time for you to go see one. The kids in the trophy karts are without a doubt the future of off-road racing, and the racing is just as intense if not more that the big boys. Myles Cheek made a flawless run for the podium while all the others battled for first loser.

At the end of the night it was time for the 20-lap main event, which was definitely intense with so much going on and was tough to watch any one racer at a time. The trucks were rubbin’, bangin’, block passing in turns, flying high on the jumps and even landing on top of each other. The young guns Sheldon Creed and Lofton charged hard early on while the veterans Johnson, Gordon and MacCachren maintained position to strike.

Johnson would lead most of the race with Gordon and MacCachren following close behind. Gordon got caught in a rut that allowed MacCachren by to battle with Johnson until the last lap when Johnson cut a right rear tire letting Rob MacCachren pass on the final straight to take the win.

“Incredible, 2013 SST Round No. 4 at Qualcomm Stadium, Robby Gordon and his top-notch staff put their heart and soul into this race series with countless hours of preparation,” MacCachren said. “I could not be happier for Mike Jenkins and everyone at Traxxas. My truck was awesome; we had a 2-point advantage SST Championship Points coming into the event, and with the win we increased our lead to 10. The track was incredible; we were flying to new heights, distances, gap jumps. SST is way more than way Mickey Thompson use to be in the past. Flying 25 to 30 feet in the air, I ask myself, ‘Are we really doing this?’ These trucks Robby has built are doing a great job handling the challenges we put them through.

MacCachren also addressed the fan turnout at the event being great, but he hopes to see the word spread about the events in hopes of seeing it grow.

“These fans that attended the show tonight need to spread the word to the off-road and motorsports community and get everyone to come out and enjoy the show," he said. "It’s really great to be out here competing with these guys; Ricky and Robby have always been there and they are the top of the game but these young guys are hungry. I know what it feels like to be where they are, but tonight showed that you can’t take away from experience. They want to take that win but they’re going to have to do work for it.”

It seems to a few the “working for it” became a little more personal than it should when after the checkers PJ Jones punted Adrian Cenni onto his roof. Fans roared as they watched Cenni exit his truck and run after PJ’s truck, chasing him in to the pits where a fistfight broke out. The two exchanged blows and were then broke up by officials. It truly is a contact sport!

The point battle is still tight with eight events to go. Rob MacCachren leads Robby Gordon by 10 points, and he is 38 points over PJ Jones in third. Round 5 will return to Qualcomm – don’t miss it.

More Stadium Super Trucks Coverage
San Diego SST Photo Highlights

Robby Gordon Wins Coliseum SST Race

Justin Lofton Wins Long Beach Round 2

SST Opening Round in Arizona