SCORE Journal

SCORE Journal Issue - Jan 2017

SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing

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APDALY LOPEZ RETAINS THE SCORE TROPHY TRUCK CROWN Despite Some Setbacks, Apdaly Lopez Repeats A SCORE Trophy Truck Championship Title And Proves He’s A True Baja Champion Anyone who races in Baja knows that it’s extremely hard to remain in the number one position from race to race. During the 2016 SCORE season Apdaly Lopez was the only racer in the Trophy Truck division, who finished in the top three of every SCORE race, to repeat as the SCORE Trophy Truck points champion. Lopez began the season as the 2015 Trophy Truck season points champion carrying the number 1 on the RPM Off-Road Chevy. While some thought he was lucky after his rookie year, Lopez managed to have the right combination of youthful risk taking, with the vehicle management skills that are often learned over many years. Nonetheless, it was his skills as a driver and knowledge gained from his father Juan Carlos Lopez, that enabled him to repeat a championship, and prove he’s a force to be respected when it comes to the top Baja racers in the world. We caught up with Lopez shortly after the 49th SCORE Baja 1000 and asked him about his performance during the 2016 season, and what else we can expect from him in 2017. SJ: This is the second year in a row that you have won the SCORE World Championship in Trophy Truck Division. Did you expect this would happen again when you began the season? LOPEZ: We always start the season with the intention to win every race, but we did have the 2016 championship in mind. SJ: At the San Felipe 250, you had a third place finish and stated that the course was difficult and rough. Looking back, what were some of the challenges and what would you have done differently?  LOPEZ: The San Felipe 250 is always a challenge because is a short track and there’s no time to make mistakes. I had five flat tires in that race, and got stuck in the sand. I am pretty sure that if I had not been stuck, I would have won the race. SJ: During the Baja 500, heat was a big issue for many of the racers. Do you think that prevented you from finishing first?  LOPEZ: Definitely the heat was a very important factor, in my case it affected me physically, I actually burned my foot in that race.    SJ: Everyone was watching you cross the finish line first at the Rosarito Beach Desert Challenge but disappointed when penalties were applied. What happened, and was this an important lesson that you will apply in the future?  LOPEZ: Well, I already knew that I was winning so I stared going faster because I wanted to have some fun, and in the finish line I couldn’t stop. That mistake cost me the first place finish. Of course it was an important lesson for me, it helped me to mature as a driver. SJ: What was it like knowing your dad Juan Carlos won the Rosarito Beach race and still kept it in the Lopez / RPM Off-Road family?  LOPEZ: I am proud of my dad. Of course it was in our plans for one of us to be the winner. I am happy that he ultimately one because somehow we achieved our team’s objectives.  SJ: With a second place finish at the SCORE Baja 1000, you passed 10 vehicles in the race. You then said you tried to save the truck and ultimately came very close to winning. Looking back would you have done anything differently?  LOPEZ: Looking back, I don’t think I would have changed anything. Although we wanted to win the race, my intention was to win the championship. We started the race knowing where we had to be in points for secure the championship. So we ran hard in the first 300 miles moving up from 20th to 6th and I think up to second place, on correct time, behind my teammate Ricky Johnson. After we passed him because of some mechanical issues Johnson had, we knew we were fighting the overall leader in time, and the championship would be in our hands if we finished in the top two. That was where our strategy changed and we started to run our pace. My dad (Juan Carlos Lopez) just kept running the pace what we needed to finish in 2nd and take the championship. SJ: What were some of your most memorable moments during this 2016 SCORE racing season?  LOPEZ: One of the most memorable moments was when my dad (Juan Carlos Lopez) won the Rosarito Beach Desert Challenge. It was great to see him win again and he kept the podium in family. SJ: Looking back at this season, do you think you’ve matured as a driver, and what have you learned from your experiences this year?  LOPEZ: As drivers, we never stop learning. Every race is a new challenge and every race you learn something new. Looking back at the beginning of this season, I think I have learned a lot of things this year. I made some mistakes that helped me mature and be more intelligent in the way I drive --- just like my mistake at the RBDC.   SJ: In the past few year’s you’ve accomplished more than some veterans have done in the past. What do you hope to accomplish in the years to come within SCORE?  LOPEZ: Well, I hope to win a lot of races, especially the SCORE Baja 1000. Of course I also want to keep winning championships.   SJ: To the Mexican people, you are a celebrity, especially within the motorsports community. Do people treat you differently now when you go out in public? LOPEZ: Yes, from a few years to now people started treating me like I am somebody famous, especially in the off road events. It’s great for me because I like to be with my fans. They inspire me and motivate me to win. SJ: For Mexican nationals, it’s difficult, if not almost impossible to participate in a racing division like the SCORE Trophy Truck Class. Does this give you additional motivation to win?  LOPEZ: Definitely! It is difficult to race in this class. The dream of accomplishing all this couldn’t be possible without the help from people like Clyde Stacy and Justin Matney. They are the ones who ultimately saw my potential, and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. What motivates me the most, however, is be on the podium, as it gives me a lot of price to show this as a triumph for all the Mexican people.   SJ: Because of you, the RPM Off-Road Racing team will maintain the #1 on the Trophy Truck. Does that add more pressure for you going into the 2017 season? LOPEZ: As I said the last year, it is just a number and our team strategy will be the same. We don’t feel any pressure just for being the #1 Trophy Truck. We ultimately want to win.   SJ: What can we expect from Apdaly Lopez for the 2017 season? What do you want to prove this time around?  LOPEZ: What I want now is to win the championship for a third year in a row. My biggest objective, however, is win the SCORE Baja 1000 on its 50th anniversary. Lopez has definitely proven he can make that happen, and with great team support from RPM Off-Road, it’s a possibility Lopez can continue his reign in 2017 and cap it off with a SCORE Baja 1000 win. SJ

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