Since Roger had previous obligations, Brad teamed with co-driver Mike Foster for this race. No matter how fast the new duo went, however, they could not outrun terrible luck on the first day of racing. Mechanical gremlins jumped up during practice and qualifying.
“We felt like we couldn't keep the truck together,” said Lovell, “We qualified in second but were loosing confidence.”
In the first heat race, the bad luck continued after a tangle with another vehicle destroyed the steering ram. Brad could only watch from the sidelines as long time rival Dean Bulloch won the
race. Discouraged, Mike and Brad returned to the pit to make repairs for the last-chance race Sunday morning.
Sunday was indeed a new day for the team. The first last-chance race was against the 600 hp Toyota of RJ Brown. Surprisingly, the Fabtech Ranger was only a nose behind off the line and first over the rocks. The lead would never change and Lovell won. Next was a race against Rockcross race one winner, Jimmy Maybe. Both trucks were quick off the line but Lovell took the lead on the rocks and advanced to the finals.
race. Discouraged, Mike and Brad returned to the pit to make repairs for the last-chance race Sunday morning.Sunday was indeed a new day for the team. The first last-chance race was against the 600 hp Toyota of RJ Brown. Surprisingly, the Fabtech Ranger was only a nose behind off the line and first over the rocks. The lead would never change and Lovell won. Next was a race against Rockcross race one winner, Jimmy Maybe. Both trucks were quick off the line but Lovell took the lead on the rocks and advanced to the finals.
Bulloch had not yet lost a race and would need to be beaten twice in order for Lovell to win. When the green flag dropped, Bulloch got in front and had a big lead. The AMSOIL Ford Ranger 
rounded the sweeping bend and found the lead truck slowing to climb a rock face. Lovell took advantage and went on to win the race and have another chance at the overall win.
rounded the sweeping bend and found the lead truck slowing to climb a rock face. Lovell took advantage and went on to win the race and have another chance at the overall win.In the second final, the trucks raced side by side over the rock and into the dust. When the track narrowed they came together suddenly and Bulloch's wheel pushed under the Ranger, inciting a roll.
“I felt it lift and instantly knew that nothing else mattered except keeping it on the wheels,” said Lovell. “When I came back in th
e groove, I noticed a good line through the rocks and was just able to cut in front of Dean.”
e groove, I noticed a good line through the rocks and was just able to cut in front of Dean.” With Team Lovell in front, both trucks were fast through the next four laps but the pair held off every charge and took home the victory. The team’s next stop is the Off-road Proving Grounds at the gigantic SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nev. October 30 – November 2.
Until then, we'll see you at the races,
Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager
