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After starting the season in the Prolite Class Dave Mason Jr. and eBay Motors made the determination to finish the season in Pro2, the premier class of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. With plans to race the Pro2 class full-time next year, Mason Off Road wanted to get ahead of next year's racing season by gaining experience in the remaining races of 2020. Rounds Six, Seven, and Eight of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series were held at Wild Horse Pass Raceway near Phoenix, Arizona. Temperatures reached well over 105 degrees each day creating tough conditions for all the racers. In addition, the track was completely redesigned and ran clockwise instead of the traditional counterclockwise of most short course tracks.
ROUND SIX - FRIDAY: Dave Jr. qualified eighth and finished with a solid top five for the first of three races. The team and driver weren't sure what to expect with an all-new track and truck. On the first day of racing, they accomplished their goal of finishing all the laps and having a truck with only minor changes needed to prepare for Saturday's race.
"Our team put together a really good truck and I felt a lot better in the Pro2 vs. the Prolite. The added horsepower and the truck, in general, seems to fit my driving style. Now I just need to tame this beast and get smoother," stated Dave Jr. after round six. ROUND SEVEN - SATURDAY: The #65 eBay Motors Pro2 was off to a great start for Saturday's round seven. Dave Jr. was improving his control of the truck and showing that he can compete against some of the best drivers in the sport, despite having far less seat time than anyone else in the field.
Short course off road racing is a high contact sport and unfortunately, the truck took a shot in the right rear causing a flat tire. The eBay Motors crew made a very fast tire change to get Dave Jr. back on track. With only a few laps left Mason was still able to cross the finish line with a respectable 7th place finish.
"The track was completely different today," said Dave Jr. "The team made some great adjustments last night and again gave me a great truck to drive. I felt I was just getting this new track figured out when unfortunately we got hit and cut the tire down. Our crew was amazing and we had a flawless pit stop. The air temperature is 110 degrees and our truck wheels are probably 500 degrees or more. But they got it done and got me back out to finish the race." ROUND EIGHT - SUNDAY: With some truck adjustments and a fresh day, the eBay Motors team was looking forward to the final race. Dave Jr. had his strongest run of the weekend competing lap after lap with some of the most experienced drivers in off road. In the end, the #65 eBay Motors Pro2 crossed the finish line just one position from the podium in 4th place.
"The team gave me a great truck each day and I got faster and faster as the weekend went on. Overall I'm very pleased with our effort," said Dave Jr. "With more testing time before the next rounds, I think we will be even more competitive. I can't wait to get this eBay Motors truck back on track."
The final races of the season will take place on October 16th, 17th, and 18th at the famed Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California.
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