SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1540550
BACK ON TOP Jason McNeil Wins In Trophy Truck Spec By Micah Anderson Photos by Get Some Photo jason McNeil of El Cajon, California, captured his first victory of the 2025 SCORE World Desert Championship season by taking the Trophy Truck Spec class win at the 2025 SCORE Baja 400. Piloting the No. 234 TSCO-built Chevy for FiberwerX Racing, McNeil completed the 427.64-mile course in eight hours, 43 minutes, and 00.834 seconds, including a 2-minute, 33-second penalty for speeding. It marked McNeil’s third career SCORE Baja 400 victory in this class, finishing nearly six minutes ahead of Justin Davis for seventh-place overall among four-wheeled vehicles. For the first time in SCORE International history, all five top-tier categories — SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE Trophy Truck 2WD, SCORE Trophy Truck Legends, Class 1, and Trophy Truck Spec — were combined in qualifying to determine the official starting order. McNeil’s pole position in the TT Spec division and 13th overall starting spot, gave him the advantage of clean air from the start. “Having that clean air was huge,” said McNeil. “Justin and I went back and forth all day, but being up front made the difference.” McNeil’s qualifying run wasn’t flawless, but it proved decisive. “We went off course twice,” he said. “I checked up a little because I didn’t want to repeat a past accident. We took it slower than we should’ve, but at least we didn’t crash. Overall, it was a solid run with no big mistakes.” His TSCO truck, tuned by SDG Shocks and FOX, performed perfectly. “We’re running a new high-flow piston, I think they are calling it the ‘Big Mac piston’. It really helps the shocks breathe. I think that’s a big part of what separates us right now,” McNeil explained Early in the race, McNeil built a lead until a flat tire near Race Mile 85 cost him valuable time. “We got the flat in a rocky section, and Eric [Clay] and I both jumped out to change it,” he said. “We don’t have an onboard air jack yet, so we use a hand jack. We changed it in under two minutes, but Justin Davis got by us.” From there, the two battled through the pine forest and into the technical sections near Mike’s Sky Ranch. “On the cliffs near Mike’s, I finally got by him,” McNeil said. “I had to bump him about 30 times before he moved over. That was the only real pass between us while we were moving.” Later in the race, McNeil handed navigation duties to his son, Connor, marking the first time the two raced together in Baja. “We had a moment where we nearly went off a serious cliff,” McNeil said. “The left rear went over, but the terrain grabbed the truck and pulled us back on. After that, I backed it down in the dangerous sections.” With clean driving and a flawless pit strategy, McNeil retook the lead near Eréndira after Davis made a late fuel stop. “We just needed to stay close,” McNeil said. “I knew if we were there when he stopped, we’d get him. It was an intense back-and-forth competitive race.” The lead was exchanged four different times with Davis, whom McNeil regards as one of the fastest drivers in the sport. The two rivals had previously teamed up for the 2023 SCORE Baja 1000, and the Green Army was instrumental in helping McNeil achieve his first Trophy Truck Spec Championship. For this event, McNeil’s small, tight-knit FiberwerX team fielded about 25 crew members, supported by family, volunteers. They also helped field the Patriot Campers Australian Team. “It’s a small outfit, but we make it work,” he said. “We’ve learned where to save and where to spend. That’s how we do it.” The win adds momentum heading into the SCORE Baja 1000, where McNeil will again team up with Gustavo Vildósola Jr. after the pair finished second overall last year. “We’ve done a lot of testing this summer,” McNeil said. “After coming so close last year, I think we’ve got a really good shot this time.” McNeil credits his longtime sponsors for their continued support, including FiberwerX, Toyo Tires, FOX, Raceline Wheels, FK Rod Ends, Simpson, Stilo, SDG Shocks, Aeromotive, Powder 1, TrueLine, and Steel-It Coatings. “This one is special,” he said. “Sharing the second half of the race with Connor was a dream come true. To win together is something I’ll never forget.” SJ