SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1536633
RISING TO THE TOP Despite Lots Of Mud And Bad Luck, TT Racers Rose To A Second Season Win By Dan Sanchez, Paul Hansen, Cindy Clark, Isaac Flores, and Ariana Medrano Despite torrential rains before the start of the BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 500, the mud it left behind didn't deter the class veterans in the four SCORE Trophy Truck classes from getting back on the podium for the second time this season. SCORE Trophy Truck class racers were saddened hearing that Bryce Menzies in the No. 7 Red Bull SCORE Trophy Truck would not be competing due to health issues. SCORE teams and fans were hoping he would recover and be back to challenge them again at the SCORE Baja 400 in August. At the start of the race, Christopher Polvoorde was first off-the-line with a blistering qualifying run that left the rest of the field stunned and wondering how fast the pace of the race would be. His chance for a major win was cut short only a few minutes from the start after he veered slightly off of his line and got his right tire caught in a rut. "We were about three corners into the course and there was a line we normally took during pre-running," said Polvoorde. On race day, a photographer was standing close to that line and caused Polvoorde to slightly change course. "We weren't even going super-fast and so we went around him, but our tire hit this rain rut, and it peeled the whole right front off the truck. It broke the portal, upper A-arm, it broke everything. It all flew off and it wasn't a hard kit. A lot of other drivers were squaring up to hit it so I just stood on top of the rut so they would miss it." This left the race wide open for second place starter Luke McMillin in the No. 83 truck, who maintained the lead until he was challenged by third place starter Tavo Vildosola in the No. 21 truck. Toby Price in the No. 46 truck right behind them as was Alan Ampudia in the No. 1 truck. Both McMillin and Vildosola hit a rock near Vincente Guerrero, near the half-way point on the course. They had to stop for repairs, leaving the challenge for the lead between Price and Ampudia. "Toby was about five minutes ahead and when we got to the coast, it was time to send it," said Ampudia. He finished about a minute ahead of Price who had a small speed penalty applied to his time which may have cost him the win. Ampudia managed to gain his second win of the 2025 season adding this to the win in the SCORE San Felipe 250. ""We were just trying to keep up with the group," he said. "Our brakes weren't working well, and a lot of little things just happened along the way, but we're super excited." Price and Paul Weel would finish in second place but earning a great position towards the 2025 Championship. "It was tough at the end, and we fell a little short," he said. "We had a really good run, and I got by everybody and started pushing out front and tried to open a bit of a gap for Paul to have a little bit of a buffer. We climbed out and unfortunately just wasn't quite enough. All in all, we're stoked we're here. Paul and the whole team's done a great job to be at the finish line, and that's a win any day of the week. We're happy with our efforts and a big thank you to all our team and all our crew." With an excellent run in this race, Dan McMillin finished in third place, making his way up the pack in the No. 23 truck, after starting 14th. With a new engine in the truck and despite having multiple flat tires to contend with, McMillin pushed through to get onto the podium. "This truck was so good, and the new engine was really nice," he said. "It worked really good. We just had five flat tires today and I don't know how I got any of them, including a double flat at the top of Uruapan, two flats at the same time. But I'm here and so we had to go really slow from the top of Uruapan and all the way to Ojos and get tires." Tavo Vildosola was disqualified after a situation where he drove the wrong way on the course, which cost him the race. Finishing in fourth was the Ford Bronco bodied Trophy Truck of Ultra 4 racing champion Loren Healey. Another Repeat Win For Steele Cameron Steele in the No. 16T found himself with tougher competition at the SCORE Baja 500, than he did winning the SCORE TT 2WD class at the SCORE San Felipe 250 this season. In this race he faced an increasing number of veteran opponents including Roberto Romo Jr. in the No. 33T truck, Tim Herbst in the No. 19T truck, and Roger Norman who entered the No. 18T truck, an original Riviera Racing 2WD truck. Steele won the race to have two class wins this season. "It was fun! What an awesome course," said Steele. "It was super tight, and we only averaged maybe 42 miles an hour in my section. So, it's tedious, time consuming, and technical. It's a lot of work. And then there is all the fun stuff on the beach. The truck is perfect. Every time, the guys at Allen Motorsports, Chris and Jake did a great job and the truck is just on rails all day. It wants to just go faster all the time, and we have to calm it down, so we can get to the finish. The Yokohama tires were on point. It's an honor to race for a company that really is excited about racing and it's an honor to win for them. They are amazing people." Steele also fended off Ethan Ebert driving the No. 81T Honda Ridgeline who finished seventh in this race last year and came back to grab the starting position in this class after qualifying. The unique Honda twin-turbo V6 powered truck was fast but Ebert admits he has more to learn about racing in this environment. "We started the day off really well and we maintained first for a while, then we had some issues up in Mike's," he said. "Then we were battling with all-wheel drive trucks and people we shouldn't have been battling with. I mean we picked and chose the wrong battles, but that's racing." Finishing third in class was the No. 26T team of Dave Taylor. "We were having a heck of a run. And then at race mile 400 we broke a rear shock," said Taylor. Thanks to everybody, everyone on the team, Hoffman Motorsports. We really appreciate everything you guys do. And, of course, Mexico." Vildosola Sr Winning Streak Continues The No. 1L team of Gus Vildosola Sr and Ricky Johnson continue their history-making winning streak with a 14th win in the SCORE Trophy Truck Legends class. The team had to deal with battles from the Honda TT 2WD team and with competitor and veteran Larry Roeseler driving the No. 61 L truck of David Payne. "We had a perfect day. Zero problems, zero punctures and we got our 14th win," said Vildosola. Payne and Roeseler finished second in class followed by the No. 74L team of Shane Lewis in third. "I really have to congratulate Ethan Ebert in the two-wheel drive Honda who out qualified me in our all-wheel drive," said co-driver Ricky Johnson. "I chased him down, got close to him, made up 30 seconds going to Ojos, made up another 30 seconds right on Alamo Road and was able to pass him. I think he let me by right at the end. It looked like he checked up for me to go by because I was catching him with a lot more speed. So, I was able to get in front of him and then I had clear air and a great day." "I had a 20-mile lead on Larry Roesler when I got out," continued Johnson. "But Larry stayed in a little longer. It was a good strategy. Larry stayed in and started catching Gus. Then we informed Gus, and he picked it up again. So, the old champion did his job and got to the finish. I don't think he got any flats. So, I'm really proud of him. The old champion did his job and got to the finish. Gus is 72 years old and doing great!" Davis Dials It In For The TT Spec Win After finishing second at the SCORE San Felipe 250 with a new No. 285 TSCO truck. Justin Davis, and the Green Army team had the truck dialed for a well-deserved win. "This truck was just on rails all day," said Davis. "We had one flat at the end, but that was it. Problem free." After qualifying third, Davis drove hard and caught top class qualifier Jason McNeil in the No. 234 truck. "He was having some issues up in Mike's Sky Ranch and we got around him," said Davis. "Then we had pretty clean air. Our pits were on point, 45 seconds or less. We just stayed out front all day." The Green Army team had Apdaly Lopez in the No. 273 truck of Jordan Brenthel. "Apdaly kept us honest most of the day. He was right back there about three or four minutes, but he had an issue coming in towards Santo Tomas, so we had a little bit of a gap, a little bit of a breather. It's nice coming into the finish without anybody breathing down your neck. The truck was perfect all day. Thanks to everyone. The whole team did a hell of a job today. We wouldn't be here without them." Finishing second was the No. 227 truck of Jack Olliges, followed by Michael Marsal in the No. 236 truck. McNeil, along with 2025 SCORE San Felipe class winner Jorge Sampietro (No. 297) broke on the course and were not able to complete the race. SJ