November 20-23, 2008
Ensenada, Baja California

DIRTnewz LIVE Coverage of the
41st SCORE Baja 1000

DIRTnewz talks to racers as the finish SCORE's 631 mile race through Baja

Bell/Norman/Campbell claim Overall motorcycle and Class 22 crown;
Norman/Roeseler get Overall 2-Wheel at 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Dempsey/Herder win Class 1, Matlock/Goodman/Spaeth/Miller capture Overall ATV
And Class 25 title in front of nearly 300,000 fans in Mexico

#8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler Team Wins 41st SCORE Baja 1000!

BJ Baldwin second!
Chad Ragland Third!
Mark Post/Rob MacCachren Fourth!

#8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler


#97 BJ Baldwin (Solo Drive Effort)


#33 Chad & "Ligthning" Larry Ragland


#1 Reigning Champion Rockstar/Makita Trophy Truck of Mark Post

Update 4:35am -
Top SCORE Trophy Truck Finishers:

1. Roger Norman/ Larry Roeseler
2. BJ Baldwin
3. Chad Ragland/ Larry Ragland
4. Mark Post/ Rob MacCachren
5. Justin Lofton/ Bob Lofton
6. Dan Friedken/ Steve Hengeveld
7. Robbie Pierce/ Mike Julson
8. Ron Whitton
9. Bobby Baldwin
10. Damen Jeffries
11. Jason McNeil
12. Cameron Steele

Top Class 1 Finishers:

1. Chuck Dempsey/ John Herder
2. Harley Letner/ Kory Halopoff
3. Ron Brant
4. Rod Bruce

Update 11:56pm - Nascar Driver and Off-Road Phenom, Robby Gordon blows motor in the #77 Trophy Truck ending a long race day filled with twists and rolls.

Update 11:35pm - Class One leader Chuck Dempsey held off Dale Ebberts for most of the day until the EZ Lube fell to some problems and DNF'd. Chuck now has a large gap on the second place car of Ron Brant (according to IRC Tracking)

Update 11:20pm - #8, #97, #33, #1, #20, #34, #35

Leader is minutes from the finish!

Update 11:15pm - #1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren at RM 592. Post will take the checkered flag, since Rob Mac started the race.

Update 10:55pm - Aprox RM15 - #8 Crystal Bay Trophy Truck piloted by Roger Norman & Larry Roeseler continue to lead with a closing BJ Baldwin.
Note: #97 BJ Baldwin started one position ahead of Roger Norman, so BJ MUST finish at least 31 seconds ahead to take the victory.

Update 10:40pm - #22 Damen Jeffries ask for help after getting stuck in a booby trap at RM519. They need a pull!

Update 10:30pm - BFG Relay warns #8 Roger Norman and #97 Bj Baldwin of a large booby trap coming back into town (RM4 Outbound)

Update 10:00pm from the RM 590 Pits- #7 Scott Steinberger/Mike Childress - Broke a trailing arm at Erendira, they have a request for a welder.

Update 9:45pm from the RM 590 Pits- #8 Norman is in the silt canyons at RM567 being chased by BJ Baldwin at RM560. BJ's Crew Chief, BarryBeacham say "We have a way's to go still." Mean while Rockstar Rob makes another light adjustment at RM 536.

Update 9:25pm - #1 Reigning champ Mark Post and Rockstar Rob MacCachren lose time in their Ford TT with some light bar issues.

Scott Steinberger Currently leads the General Tire team into the night. Some of his teammates had difficulties early on.

Update 9:00pm - #8 Roger Norman Crystal Bay Casino TT approaching the small town of Santo Tomas (RM545). BJ Baldwin follows 5 miles back in the #97 Chevy Powered TT while they have stretched the gap between #33 Chad Ragland T-Force Toyota.

#8 Roger Norman - RM545
#97 BJ Baldwin - RM540
#33 Chad Ragland - RM525
#1 Mark Post -RM 505
#7 Scott Steinberger - RM500
(#7 Driver: Mike Childress needs a new spare after blowing a turn at RM490)
#20 Justin Lofton - 485

Update 8:30pm - #1700 Mike Schaffer and the Pirate 4x4 crew has the opportunity to capture a Baja 1000 Three-peat if they continue to keep their lead. Now that's something to be proud of!

Update 8:06pm - Valle De Trinidad (RM 460) Mark Post & Lightning Larry Ragland have tacos and chat about the first 300 miles. Larry said the #33 T-Force Toyota has some damaged lower lights and the top lights are pretty weak. Rob MacCachren is pulling into RM462 to repair his lower light bar on the Rockstar/Makita TT. With the #39 of Whitton/Cadiente stuck in the road, Rob Mac had no where to go, but to push the #39 out of the way, damaging the lower light bar.

They also talked about Robby Gordon's roll over at race mile 8.
Looks like we will have some good post race coverage!

Update 7:03pm - FIRST BIKE FINISHER - 1X Robby Bell

Update 7:38pm - Checkpoint 3 (RM351)- #1000 Lobsam Yee Leads Class Ten into Checkpoint 3.

Update 7:18pm - RM 442 - #39 Whitton team radios Weatherman saying "they are stuck in the race course by Mike Sky Ranch. Please let RivieraRacing know so they don't hit us!"

Update 7:18pm - RM 435 - Race leaders are beyond the half way mark. With only one leader change today, each team has been precise in there action behind the wheel and in the pits. Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler continue to lead while BJ Baldwin sits in second waiting for his chance to strike. This set-up is lining up real siimilar to the Baja 500, where BJ diced back and forth with Mark Post/Rob MaCachren duo. BJ Baldwin later claimed the victory.

#8 Roger Norman
#97 BJ Baldwin
#33 Chad Ragland
#39 Ron Whitten/Garron Cadiente
#1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren

Update 6:39pm - RM 350 - Booby Trap Claims 2 Bikes, and the trap is getting bigger!

Update 6:23pm - RM 400
#8 Roger Norman
#97 BJ Baldwin - 2minutes back
#33 Chad Ragland (Driver Legendary Larry Ragland)

Class One
# 101 Chuck Dempsey
#105 Dale Ebberts

Roger Norman & Larry Roeseler contnue to race strong but a determined BJ Baldwin takes his Chevy powered Trophy Truck into second place from Lightning Larry Ragland, the #33 T-Force Toyota Trophy Truck. #101 of Chuck Dempsey sets the pace in Class One with the EZ Lube rocket of Dale Ebberts a few miles back.

DIRTnewz Interviews Rob MacCachren after a swift
driver swap and tire change.

Harley Letner takes his Alpha Car to the top 4 and seeking a win

Update 5:58pm - Class One Leaders -RM286
#101 - Chuck Dempsey
#105 - Dale Ebberts
#102 - B.J. Richarson
#118 - Harley Letner

Update 5:51pm - DNF Updates -
#100
#131 - Brendan Fikes
#127 - Mark Weyhrich

Update 5:51pm - Race Mile 350 - #1 Riviera Racing Mark Post's Rockstar/Makita Ford still charging hard in 5th position.

Update 5:31pm - Race Mile 310 - #4 Gus Vildosola Jr. DNF

Update 5:23pm - Race Mile 286 - #35 Mastercraft/Jimco Robbie Pierce and #24 Steve Hengeveld through.

Update 5:23pm - Race Mile 351 Checkpoint 3 - #8 Roger Norman Crystal Bay Casino TT and #33 Chad Ragland through.

The K&N Jeffries Trophy Truck currently runs in 7th position

Update 5:00pm - #20 Matt Lodice in Lofton Trophy Truck through 286.19

Update 4:48pm - #7 Scott Steinberger through Check 2 at 4:44pm

Update 4:48pm - #8 Roger Norman through RM 335

Update 4:48pm - Checkpoint 2 RM 286.19
The #8 of Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler continue their lead after the Brian Collins engine failure. The T-Force Toyota of Chad Ragland follows behind, but the #97 of BJ Baldwin is stalking close. This trio has openend a seven minute gap on fouth place #39 Ron Whitton/Garron Cadiente. An uncomfortable fifth place sits with the #1 Rockstar/Makita TT of Mark Post with Gus Vildosola Jr. #4 and Damen Jeffires K&N Trophy Truck following.

Update 4:43pm - #2 Pistol Pete Sohren DNF

Update 4:00pm - Continued Running Order Through BFG Mexicali Extension of 3:00pm update.

Update 3:40pm - DNFs as reported through BF Goodrich Relay
#13 - Ed Stout
#28 - Alan Pflueger
#111 - Charles Rudolph
#115 - Steve Raskett
#349 - Scott Wooden (Last reports have them working on it, we'll see)
#517 - Gregory Morley
#1506 - Bryant Layton
#758 - Billy Bunch

Update 3:30pm - #8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler take lead!
At race mile 220 the race is still hot. Garron Cadiente/Ron Whitton team passes the Rockstar/Makita Ford of Mark Post.
#8 Roger Norman
#97 BJ Baldwin
#39 Ron Whitton
#1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren

Update 3:28pm - #12 Brian Collins confirmed OUT OF RACE at RM 214. Mopar power loses a timing chain creating an internal engine explosion.

Update 3:20pm - #8 Larry Roeseler inthe Crystal Bay Casino TT is through race mile 220 with reported vibration. #12 Brian Collins is reported having a blown motor (reports not confirmed).

Update 3:00pm - Running Order Through BFG Mexicali (RM147.5)
#12 - Brian Collins
#8 - Roger Norman
#33 - Chad Ragland
#39 - Ron Whiton - 2:07pm
#1 - Mark Post - 2:08pm
#97 - BJ Baldwin - 2:09pm
#16 - Cameron Steele - 2:15pm
#28 - Alan Pflueger - 2:18pm
#4 - Gus Vildosola Jr. - 2:19pm
#22 - Damen Jefferies - 2:30pm
#105 - Dale Ebberts - 2:31pm
#20 - Justin Lofton - 2:32pm
#101 - Chuck Dempsey - 2:33pm
#102 - B.J Richardson - 2:35pm
#109 - Luis Ramirez Jr. - 2:38pm
#107? - Armin Schwarz - 2:39pm
#84 - Nick Vanderway - 2:39pm
#34 - Dan Friedkin - 2:40pm
#47 - James Bult - 2:41pm
#118 - Harley Letner - 2:41pm
#50 - Jason McNeil - 2:42pm
#112 - Josh Rigsby - 2:43pm
#69 - Francisco Cervantes - 2:45pm
#35 - Robbie Pierce - 2:58pm
#117 - Ron Brant - 3:01pm

Update 2:56pm - IRC Tracking shows #105 EZLUbe Class One of Dale Ebberts running in top spot of his class. BFG Relay confirms #105 is first in class.

Update 2:53pm - #349 Scott Wooden in his Ford Bronco has a broken Steering Arm. He's trying to get it fixed at a previous stop.

Update 2:39pm - #1 Ford Rockstar/Makita/MonarchTT of Mark Post through RM 180

Update from the Cockpit - Rob MacCachren - 2:25pm
Rob MacCachren piloting the #1 Ford Rockstar/Makita/Monarch Trophy Truck started the race and drove the first 134 miles. During his run from the 8th position he came across a full size Super Duty going down the infamous Rumarosa Grade. Rob Mac put the BFGoodrich tires to the test as he slid by the huge chase truck, sparing the Super Duty's mirrors with no contact.

Rob Mac came across the #35 Mastercraft/Jimco TT of Robbie Pierce, they were backed off the road (now reported as a flat tire and stuck). Scott Steinberger received a flat tire, allowing for the Rob Mac pass.

At race mile 134 Rob Mac pulled into the pit, a speedy Riviera Racing crew swapped 2 tires, fueled, and Mark Post took the helm. The #1 Rockstar Makita Trophy Truck edged out the #97 of BJ Baldwin as they began their southern decent.

Update 2:00pm - Race Mile 134
The race is tight up front with Brian Collins leading the charge. Only 3 minutes separate first through third. Second place Roger Norman in the Crystal Bay Casino Trophy Truck charges hard with the T-Force Toyota of Chad Ragland close behind.

Our report has it that the real battle is for fourth place. Garron Cadiente, Mark Post in the Rockstar/Makita Trophy Truck and BJ Baldwin (expected to solo the whole race) are only seconds apart!

#12 Brian Collins
#8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler
#33 Chad Ragland
#39 Ron Whitton/ Garron Cadiente
#1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren
#97 BJ Baldwin

Update 1:47pm - INSIDE REPORT
#84 Nick Vanderway trophy Truck rolled early into the race. Gus Vildosola Jr. stopped (reported earlier) to help roll them back over.

#8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler running in second.

Update 1:30pm -Collins continues to lead through RM110.
Our eye in the sky tells us the order is as follows:
#12 Brian Collins
#8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler
#33 Chad Ragland
#39 Ron Whitton/GarronCadiente
#1 Mark Post/Rob MaCachren

Update 1:13pm - Confirmed Race Vehicles through BFG Pit1A
(Partial List from 12:42pm - 12:50)
#1612
#1647
#1610
#81 - Mark Miller - VW Trophy Truck
#250
#260
#77 - Robby Gordon
#502
#601
#503
#1208
#BC-3
#1613
#519
#501
#700
#705
#BC-6
#BC-1
#701
#BC-9

Update 1:13pm - #1X Robbie Bell Through Zoo Road

Update 1:07pm - Current Leaderboard (BFG Relay Tracking Notes)

#12 Brian Collins
#33 Chad Ragland
#39 Ron Whitton
#71 Rick D. Johnson
#97 BJ Baldwin
#16 Cameron Steele

Update 12:50pm - #839 Steve Olliges and Greg Foutz charging hard through Ojos Negros in the newly debuted FORD Raptor F-150 with Facotry FOX RACING SHOX.

Update 12:36pm - #97 BJ Baldwin in his Vision-X Trophy Truck stops with flat tire.

Update 12:26pm - #1X Robby Bell through RM 310 on his Honda CRF450X

Update 12:15pm - #1X Robby Bell and #10X Caleb Gosselaar through RM 279 (BFG2, Mexicali)

Update 12:08pm - #104 Classs One of Eric Chase rolled early into the race. They have the car back on it's wheels and are working on gettting back into the race.

Update 12:02pm - LIVE IRC Tracking shows #12 Brian Collins Mopar Powered Trophy Truck, #35 Mastercraft Jimco of Robbie Pierce thorugh RM 65

Update 12:00pm - #1X Robby Bell through Checkpoint2

Update 11:55am - #1X Robby Bell through race mile (RM) 279-280

Update 11:47am - #1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren Rockstar Energy Makita Ford Trophy Truck through Race Mile 40

Update 11:36am - #13 Ed Stout out of Race with Blown Head Gasket KM19

Update 11:32am - #7 Scott Steinberger thorugh RM 42 (11:30am)

Update 11:32am - #12 Brian Collins thorugh RM 42 (11:28am)

Update 11:26am - #4 Gus Vildosola problem at RM 17, It was a quick stop. They are back on course through Race Mile 19.

The top six point standings in the Trophy Truck class are very close. Watch for these battles today and into the evening.

1. BJ Baldwin
2. Brian Collins
3. Mark Post
4. Robbie Pierce
5. Damen Jefferies
6. Roger Norman
   
   
   

Mopar®-Powered Driver Brian Collins (#12) sits pole position for the start of the 41st SCORE Baja 1000. Trophy Trucks are to start at 10:30am PST.

See previous news coverage here
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