SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1536633
A HARD-EARNED VICTORY Kyle Quinn Rallies Wilson Motorsports to A Class 1 Win By Micah Anderson Photos by Get Some Photo The BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 500 course was tight in some areas and fast in others. Class 1 teams had a difficult time on it, but Kyle Quinn in the No. 138 Wilson Jimco buggy made it through for the win. We spoke with Quinn about the race and his team’s performance. SCORE Journal: First off, congratulations on the win. Only two finishers in Class 1 this year—how tough was it out there, and what did this particular Baja 500 ask of your team? Kyle Quinn: Thank you! This Baja 500 was incredibly tough, especially with only two finishers in Class 1 this year, it shows just how challenging the course was. The first half of the race was brutal for us. When I took over around Race Mile 235, there were very few vehicles coming through, which showed how demanding the course had been on everyone. For our team, the race tested everything: endurance, strategy, and communication. We faced mechanical challenges and rough terrain that required us to stay patient and focused. The crew’s ability to quickly adapt and support us was critical. The second half of my stint was faster and felt a bit easier, but overall, the Baja 500 demanded resilience and teamwork from start to finish. It was a true test of survival and determination. SJ: Greg DiStefano and Scott Conley had a strong start before the rollover early in the day. How did that incident affect your mindset when you got behind the wheel later on? KQ: It definitely messes with your head. The race started off just as planned, they managed to get out front around Race Mile 70. Shortly after the highway crossing, they clipped a rock, spun backwards on course, and rolled the car. With Starlink, communication is instant, which is a blessing and a curse. You’re getting real-time updates, but it makes it even harder to keep your mind focused. I was reaching out to our mechanics, Ben and Mag, for any info, but they were obviously tied up trying to get to the car, flip it, and assess the damage. I eventually got some reassurance from team owner Randy Wilson, who let me know the car looked to be in good shape. Going from the high of leading, to the low of thinking you’re out, then trying to reset and focus on just finishing—it’s a rollercoaster. Mentally, that swing is tough to manage. I feel like I manage it fairly well and try to make the best of whatever situation Baja throws at us. I think I handle it pretty well, though. At the end of the day, I try to stay grounded and make the best of whatever curveball Baja throws our way. SJ: It takes a full team effort to recover from a setback like that and still take the win. How did the support crew respond, and how important was their quick action in keeping the day alive? KQ: I say it all the time, but especially in moments like this, we truly have the best team around. It’s easy to let negativity creep in the second you hear there’s a problem, but no one at our driver change pit went there. Everyone stayed calm, waiting patiently for direction from Ben, Mag, and Randy before we made any adjustments to the plan. As soon as word came through that the car was moving again, after being down for nearly two hours, we instantly shifted into survival mode. When I got in the car, and at every pit stop after, the team kept me locked in with time splits and motivation. They made sure I knew we were making up ground and still had a real shot at the win. Ben, Mag, and their crews didn’t hesitate. We had them stationed near the area where the car rolled waiting for it to clear, so they were on course within minutes. We spend a lot of time and effort spreading our 40+ person crew across the course for situations exactly like this. You always hope you won’t need them, but when you do, they’re ready, every time. SJ: You said you were about an hour down when you got in the car. What was your mental approach from that point forward—were you thinking about pacing or pushing? KQ: Correct—Greg and Scott had gained some ground on the RPI team No. 168, who were dealing with issues of their own. Just before we strapped in, my co-driver Scotty came up to me and said, “Hey, we’re just pre-running from here.” That’s usually our way of saying, take it easy, don’t make mistakes. When I feel like I’m driving slower, I’m usually going faster. Our main focus was to keep the car moving and avoid getting out at all costs. It was all about maintaining —pushing just enough to stay close without risking anything that could set us back even further. SJ: Mechanical issues took out some of your closest competition. In a way, does that reinforce the old Baja lesson of survival first, speed second? KQ: Absolutely—100%. In Baja, speed means nothing if you don’t survive. Of course, I want to go fast—but when Baja throws its weight around, speed takes a back seat. At that point, survival is the only thing that matters. SJ: Wilson Motorsports has had success across many major events this season, so how does this SCORE Baja 500 win stack up in terms of what it means to you and the team? KQ: The last time Brad and I shared a car was back in 2015. Our real standout season together was in 2013, when we had an incredible run in Class 10—winning both the championship and the SCORE Baja 1000, which was a first for the team at the time. We had both just moved up from Class 1600, so to perform at that level right out of the gate was something special. Kicking off this season with a win stateside was huge. We were running strong at the SCORE San Felipe 250 too, right up until a mechanical issue took us out just five miles from the finish. Brad didn’t race the Baja 500 due to the birth of his newborn, so to take the win here for him was a big moment—and it put us right back in the hunt for the championship. SJ: There were a number of new technical sections in this year’s course. What was your impression of the route, and did anything stand out as particularly rewarding or punishing? KQ: Like I said earlier, I feel like I had the easier section of the course compared to Greg. There were a few sections that I don’t think I’ve personally ran, and they were fast, but challenging. SJ: Off-road racing is always unpredictable, but what do you think made the difference this time for you to end up on top? KQ: Having a never give up attitude made all the difference. Even when it felt impossible—being as far behind as we were—we stayed locked in. To turn it around and put ourselves ahead by over an hour, was the ultimate testament to that mindset. SJ: Lastly, what’s the morale like now in the Wilson camp after a comeback win like this? KQ: Morale is through the roof after a race like this. It is a true payoff for our crew—the ones who wait, no matter what’s happening or what time it is. We’re all connected in different ways—family, family friends, long-time friends—and that bond makes race days even more meaningful. Wins like this are what make it all worth it. SJ