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Rookie Driver Challenges Series Veterans
Catch the Race on CBS Saturday Nov 30 at 1:00 PM
Re-airs on MAVTV and CBS Sports Network
Dave Mason Jr. piloted the eBay Motors Pro 2 truck to solid finishes in his return to the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Wild Horse Pass Raceway. The one-day, two-race event, marked the final points round of the season championship along with the famed Challenge Cup.
TOP FIVE QUALIFIER
Mason hit the track for qualifying with only 7-laps of experience driving the truck in a racing environment. Each lap he showed significant gains. Mason's fastest lap time of 40.13 placed the eBay Motors Pro 2 in an impressive 5th place starting position.
“This is all new to me. I’ve raced this track many times in a Pro-Buggy, but the Pro 2 is completely different, there really is nothing the same," said Dave Mason Jr. after qualifying. "I'm happy with our qualifying position. The truck is handling good and it's fast. We have a few adjustments to make, but mostly I’m just taking in what Steve [Crew Chief Steve Barlow] is teaching me and applying it to my driving."
1st RACE ENDS EARLY WITH RARE MECHANICAL ISSUE
With qualifying over and a packed house of race fans on their feet it was go time for Dave Mason Jr. Mason had a clean start to the race and was running strong in the mid-pack. Lap times continued to get faster each lap and he began making passes towards the front. A mid race caution flag gathered the field back together and it was looking good for the young driver.
As they were about to re-start the race the truck had a rare mechanical failure. The drive shaft had broken under caution and it left Mason stopped and unable to continue the race. The truck was towed back to the pits and the Mason Off Road crew immediately went to work.
MASON OFF ROAD TEAM GETS eBay Motors Pro 2 BACK ON TRACK
With very little time in between races the Mason Off Road team had to push hard to complete the tough repair work. The damage was extensive, but the team was determined to make the next race. Crew members worked at an impressive pace to ensure the eBay Motors Pro 2 was ready to race again.
“I’ve been doing this for three decades and I’ve only seen that happen one time,” said Team Manager, Steve Reeder. “Our guys [Seth Walther and TC Steingrube] worked their tails off to get this truck back out there."
DAVE JR CONTENDS FOR CHALLENGE CUP AGAINST SERIES BEST
With the truck repaired it was again go time. Mason would start his first-ever Challenge Cup against the best off road racers in the world. The event combines both Pro 2 and Pro 4. With the points championship over this race was an all out war for the money and prize of taking home the famed Challenge Cup trophy.
Despite the gravity of what was about to take place Dave Jr. remained calm and focused. The green flag dropped and Dave Jr. went to work driving the eBay Motors Pro 2 once again into the mix of top tier racers. Mason was working on another pass on the outside of turn three when he was hit hard in the passenger side door. The incident caused him to lose a few positions, but Mason impressed the crowd by keeping control of the truck.
He began fighting his way back up through the field. Dave Jr. caught World Champion off road racer Rodrigo Ampudia and the two began an epic battle. The pair of trucks put on a show for the Arizona fans beating and banging on each other while swapping positions nearly every turn. In the end, Dave Mason Jr. proved to his fellow competitors, his team and thousands of off road fans that he’s ready to compete in the top series of off road short course racing.
"I learned a lot out there tonight," said Dave Mason Jr. "I think we accomplished what we set out to do for this event. We have a lot of good notes headed into next year. I'm excited to get next season started."
"Everyone worked very hard to get here and put together a good show for our sponsors and our fans. I can't thank my team enough for getting this eBay Motors truck fixed and back on track for the race," added Mason.
Dave Mason Jr. Finished the Challenge Cup 4th in the Pro 2 Class and 7th overall out of 23 trucks. The team plans to do extensive testing in the off season and compete in the full 2020 series schedule.
Catch the Race on CBS Saturday Nov 30 at 1:00 PM
Re-airs on MAVTV and CBS Sports Network
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