The
Power of Blue – Taylor Takes Miller Welders to the Top of the Box!
Belvidere, IL (September 9, 2009) - One of most successful off-road
racers in Crandon history flew into town for the 40th celebration of
off-road racing, with a new paint scheme and a new title sponsor on
the side of his #8 PRO-2WD BFGoodrich Ford F-150. Without hesitation,
Scott Taylor brought Miller Welders their first off-road win, during
its inaugural weekend out, at the BorgWarner Off-Road Championship in
Crandon, Wisconsin.
The weekend race at the “Big House” of Off-Road Racing, was
celebrating forty years of racing in Crandon. The festivities included
Scott Taylor, along with his family, serving as Grand Marshals of the
annual Friday morning parade. It was also the first time the public
was able to see the #8 BFGoodrich Ford F-150 in its new blue Miller
Welders paint scheme.
Meanwhile, the latest issue of Dirt Sports Magazine had hit the
streets. The magazine focused on the forty years of racing in Crandon,
and had a feature piece on Scott Taylor and his successes at the famed
Northwoods track.
Could the new sponsor, the magazine article, and usual Crandon
pressure, affect the performance of Scott Taylor?
“Of course we feel some of the pressure Scott feels,” remarked crew
chief Mike Kasch. “When we come to Crandon, the pressure is expected,
and we seem to thrive on it; usually putting Scott on top of the box.”
Saturday is World Championship Saturday at every Labor Day Weekend
event in Crandon. The winners of each class race receive a larger than
usual paycheck, the title of World Champion, and a one of a kind
championship ring. The Saturday afternoon PRO-2WD race looked like the
#8 Miller Welders BFGoodrich Tires Ford F-150 would get Scott Taylor
another ring, when the Miller blue #8 took a hard lick into the wall
along the Ford Trucks Skyboxes. The contact bent one of the rear track
arms on the truck, shifting the axle assembly almost twelve inches to
one side. Quickly, Scott pulled over preventing any further damage,
thus ending his quest of another World Championship ring, in
thirteenth place.
“I
was planning my attack on the leader,” noted Scott Taylor. “I stuck
the right side tires into the soft stuff looking to see if I could
run through there if I needed to make a pass. The soft dirt just
sucked the truck into the wall. Definitely won’t see me near that
wall tomorrow.”
After
a quick replacement of the track arm, the crew went back to the
typical overnight prep. The Miller Welders Ford was ready for the
Round 12 ABC Sports broadcast. There were all kinds of media hype
about Robby Gordon coming back to Crandon to race Sunday’s PRO-2WD
event. Some of the talk and print media was all about Robby taking on
McGrath and Ricky Johnson, and hardly a mention about Scott Taylor as
the man to beat. When the green flag dropped on the landrush start, it
was Scott Taylor leading the way with Gordon, MacCachren, and Johnson
trailing the wake of the #8 Ford. First Gordon attacked but failed,
and then Johnson closed in during final laps, but nobody could put a
bumper to “Crandon’s Hangman.” From start to finish, Scott Taylor lead
the nineteen PRO-2WD truck field.
“What a way to start this new relationship with Miller Electric,”
exclaimed Scott Taylor. “Everyone has been working so hard to get
this win. Kevin and Justin Pence, Mike Kasch, Alan, Jesse, and Trad
. At the shop or at the track these guys make it happen. I thought
we were on our way yesterday, but closed the deal today! Look at all
the fans here today. The support we have from our fans is an
important part of what makes Crandon so special. I can’t wait to get
back to our pit and sign some autographs.”
Not only
did Scott Taylor win flag to flag, but he set a new two-wheel drive
track record. His fastest lap of the race also rewards Taylor Racing
with the Oakley Bomb award. The third win of the year for Scott Taylor
moves the team up to fourth place in the 2009 TORC PRO-2WD
Championship standings.
The ABC Sports rebroadcast of the race day coverage of TORC Round 12
will be on ESPN2 at 1:30 am EST , September 9th, 2009. So set your
DVRs and recorders.
Next Race – September 26 – 27, Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, CA.
Taylor Racing thanks all their supporters including:
Miller Electric – Skyjacker Suspensions - BFGoodrich Tires – Automatic
Transmission Designs
Ford Trucks, Roush-Yates Engines, Russ Wernimont Designs, Miller
Electric, King Shocks, Walker Evans Racing, Justice Brothers, AMSOlL,
Ringers Gloves, MSD Ignition, Autometer, K & N Filters, Boatec, Parker
Pumper, Skyjacker Suspensions, and Phil’s Inc.
Taylor Racing still has marketing opportunities available for the rest
of the 2009 and 2010 season.
-
www.taylorsoffroadracing.com
- Mike Reusche, race report -
mtgraphics@ymail.com
