SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/631836
lot of satisfaction." No one could be prouder of Lopez than his father, who has given the young driver a great deal of advice and has watched him grow as a driver and now a national hero for the Mexican people. "I feel really proud about everything that Apdaly has accomplished at a young age," says Juan Carlos Lopez. "Inside the RPM Team we were planning to win a championship for the past four years; two of them under my name and the last two under Clyde and Apdaly's name. Finally to see my son obtain everything he has in only two years is what I call a real feat, because he learned very quick, and this is the result!" With talents of his own, LUCK WASN'T ALWAYS ON LOPEZ'S SIDE DURING THE 2015 SCORE SEASON. AT THE SCORE IMPERIAL VALLEY 250, LOPEZ ROLLED THE TROPHY TRUCK AND POSTED A DNF. Lopez has always maintained that his success is due to his father's guidance, which led him to gain more experience that resulted in a championship. "My father is really proud. Just like him, I have wanted this championship for many years," said Apdaly. "I think it a very important part for my career because throughout the year I've been racing against some of the best legends in off-road racing. This year I learned that it's not just to sit down and be the fastest one, but to sit down and be the smartest one. I learned to plan my race and try to make it work out as planned." Now with a SCORE Championship under his belt, Lopez, like any other SCORE racer, wants to win the SCORE Baja 1000, especially after finishing first at the 48th Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000, but finding out that there were some penalties applied that put him in second place. It was heartbreaking for him, and even some of the other racers who witnessed what happened. Yet, Lopez shrugged it off and took it as another important lesson that can only help him later in his racing career. "After finishing first in the 1000 and being declared the winner, it was difficult to learn we had a received a penalty that pushed us back to second place," said Lopez. "When things like this happen in racing we have to accept it and move on and try hard to win it next year. We congratulate Rob Mac and Andy on winning the SCORE Baja 1000. I only have four years of experience racing, and I think it's just the beginning for my career as a driver gaining more experience as the years go by." Another important factor in Lopez's championship season that can't be overlooked is the reliability and speed of the Number 5 RPM Off-Road Chevy Silverado built by Geiser Brother's. The truck has a shorter wheelbase and is slightly lighter than the typical Trophy Truck that the Geiser's build, but it proved to be a combination that Lopez fees comfortable with. "Having the Geiser Bros. prepare the race car is the best definitely. They know every piece of the car, which always helps me to have the truck at 100 percent, and gave me a 016 SCORE JOURNAL