Probst Shows Speed during Rockstar Cup Qualifying

The actual event was delayed one week after unseasonable rain literally left the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex underwater. Fortunately, track crews worked almost non-stop to get the facility ready, and by Thursday morning the gates opened and the show moved on.

Friday morning practice had the #9 E3 Spark Plug Lucas Oil Chevy Silverado looking for added bite coming out of the high-banked corners. After checking lap times, Kevin and his team knew that aggressive changes were needed to make the top eight, in order to avoid the LCQ race.

Kevin and his crew went to work on the tire package, as well as fine tuning the brake setup. When it came time for the qualifying session, the changes to the truck made the E3 Spark Plug Chevy come alive, as Kevin guided the truck to a top eight qualifying time.

“I knew we needed some big time changes with our tire package. When I came out for qualifying and applied all the ProPower horsepower to the ground, I knew the adjustments were working,” commented a relieved Kevin Probst.

The results of Unlimited 2 qualifying had the top eight trucks within 1.5 seconds of each other. That is unbelievably close for a short course off-road racing event.

The Saturday afternoon main event saw the Unlimited 2 trucks lined up on the starting grid in front of the Unlimited 4 competitors for a sixteen-lap showdown. The two classes were racing for their own big money purse, but the overall winner would get possession of the three foot tall Rockstar Challenge cup.

When the fireworks went off and the twenty-six truck field came roaring down the front straightaway, the capacity crowd went wild. Short course off-road racing is truly a contact sport. The green and white E3 Chevy quickly moved up a couple of spots, as Kevin was really comfortable with the setup. By lap six, the season ended for the Probst Motorsports Unlimited 2 truck.

“I knew once the transmission started slipping in 2nd gear, only divine intervention would keep the truck running,” commented Kevin Probst. “Heck it was the last race of the year, so it was go time, but it wasn’t in the cards today. I have to thank my crew this weekend for the great job they did, especially when it came to setting this truck up for qualifying. We made some wholesale changes and they really made the truck come alive. Thanks again to Zep, J.W., Pops, and my wife Vickie.” Upon inspection, the transmissions case broke in half. The severe pounding from the massive jumps took the final toll on the major component.

After the racing was done, the spectators filled the pit area looking to get an autograph and a souvenir of their favorite racer. Kevin Probst did not disappoint his fans. Not only did he sign hundreds of autographs, but he gave away bits and pieces of the fiberglass body of his race truck. Then when the kids were looking for more, he gave away his spare body panels as well. Even though the E3 Spark Plug Lucas Oil Chevy didn’t come out on top during the race, the team was number one with many of the fans.

Probst Motorsports thanks our team partners during the 2009 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by Geico Powersports season.

Team Lucas
E3 Spark Plugs - www.E3sparkplugs.com
Lucas Oil Products - www.lucasoil.com
K&N Filters - www.knfilters.com
Fox Racing Shox - www.foxracingshox.com
Indicom Electric Company - www.fastboyzracing.com
JMR Manufacturing - www.jmrmfg.com
MSD - www.msdignition.com
Ringers Gloves - www.ringersgloves.com
HTP Welders - www.htpweld.com
SAE Transmissions
Phils Inc - www.philsinc.com
Timken Bearings - www.timken.com
Fel-Pro Gaskets - www.federal-mogul.com
KMC Wheels - www.kmcwheels.com
Web Cam - www.webcamshafts.com
Sticker Dude Designs - www.stickerdudedesigns.com
Uweld Race Kits - www.uweld.com

Mike Reusche, race report & photos - MTG