E3 Spark Plug's Kevin Probst put his #9 Chevrolet truck on the front row for Round 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road championship series event at Glen Helen Raceway outside San Bernardino, CA. Photo courtesy of Lucas Oil Racing http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucasoil.

Robbie Pierce would grab an early lead but lots of lap-one action and a very rough track would leave the MasterCraft/Rockstar Ford on its roof in the track’s rhythm section bringing out a red flag. Emergency workers attended to Pierce who was visibly shaken after his spectacular flip and was taken to a local hospital for precaution. The Canidae Chevrolet of Jeff Geiser grabbed the lead on the restart but points leader Rob MacCachren wasted no time in working past Geiser. When the mandatory competition yellow flew, it was MacCachren, Ricky Johnson, Bryce Menzies, Carl Renezeder, and Geiser in first through fifth.

The #7 Bully Dog Ford truck of Menzies got by Johnson on the restart when the former AMA motocross champion pulled his Traxxas/Red Bull Ford off track with a mechanical failure. Johnson’s retirement would be the sign of things to come as trucks were crashing and breaking all the way around the rough San Bernardino track. In fact, Menzies would pull off just before the white flag leaving only six trucks to finish the full 20-lap race distance. Renezeder took second behind MacCrachren, with Greg Adler in third and Rogero Ampudia in fourth.

The E3 Spark Plugs racing team has a few weeks off to regroup before heading to the Speed World Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona, for Rounds 11 and 12 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing series on September 25-26. There are only five championship rounds remaining before drivers compete for the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Challenge Cup scheduled for December 12 at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, AZ. If you are looking for championship performance from your truck, insist on E3 Truck Spark Plugs. Our patented DiamondFire technology delivers the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology both on and off road.

2010 LUCAS OIL OFF ROAD TRUCK CHAMPIONSHIP

Pro 2 Unlimited  – Round 10 Glen Helen Raceway
1)    #21    ROB MACCACHREN
2)     #7    BRYCE MENZIES
3)    #36    RODRIGO AMPUDIA
4)    #17    CARL RENEZEDER
5)    #48    RICKY JOHNSON
6)    #54    ROB NAUGHTON
7)     #8    TODD LEDUC
8)    #31    MICHAEL JOHNSON
9)    #10    GREG ADLER
10)     #3    JEFF WARD
11)    #99    ROBBY WOODS
12)     #9    KEVIN PROBST
13)    #44    JEFF GEISER
14)    #91    NICK TYREE
15)    #30    ROBBIE PIERCE
16)    #46    CAREY HART
17)    #11    DALE DONDEL
18)    #50    CHUCK DEMPSEY
19)    #15    JEREMY MCGRATH
20)    #27    SCOTT MARTENSON
21)    #13    JOHN HARRAH
22)    #95    JEFF SEIFERT
23)     #5    EVAN EVANS
24)     #4    JEFF KINCAID
25)    #77    DAN VANDENHEUVEL

Replica of the Kevin Probst-driven #9 E3 Spark Plugs/Lucas Oil truck made by X-Factor RC. Photo courtesy of X-Factory RC, Radio Control Car Action (www.rccaraction.com).

The replica kits for Probst’s Pro-2 short course truck will feature an SCX-60 conversion kit with a professionally painted Pro-Line Silverado body and a huge die-cut decal sheet from BC1 Graphics – the same graphics supplier for the actual #9 truck. The result is an exact, small scale replica of the real thing.

To celebrate, Probst Motorsports will bring the #9 E3 Spark Plugs / Lucas Oil truck to the ROAR National Championship race in Joliet, Ill. for at least three days of the race, which runs August 19-22 at the Leisure Hours R/C Raceway. Kevin Probst, a 35-year veteran of the short course truck circuit with more than 200 wins to his credit, will attend the ROAR race for a day in person to meet the R/C drivers and sign autographs for fans.

Drivers hold an R/C S.C. truck race in the pits at all the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series races and Probst has been using an SCX – 60 during the 2010 season. This season, several SCX – 60s will contest the ROAR Championship, including a Probst Special Edition in the hands of Kevin Probst’s nephew, Jon Probst.

X-Factory distributes its products via dealers throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, Singapore, Russia, North Cyprus, Japan, Germany, France, Finland, China, Canada, Belgium, Austria and Australia. Get your #9 while they last. And if you’re looking to boost performance under the hood of your own ride, make sure you pick up a set of E3 truck spark plugs, outfitted with our patented DiamondFire technology that promises a stronger, cleaner drive.

Pro2 Unlimited driver Carl Renezeder rebounded to finish 3rd in Sunday's feature event after taking a spectacular end-over-end tumble in the Lucas Oil offroad truck on Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park outside Tooele, Utah. Photo courtesy of www.teamrenezeder.com.

Rockstar Makita’s Todd Leduc finished second to Ampudia in Round 7 of the Pro2 Unlimited off-road trucks class just ahead of former NORBA pro downhill mountain bike racer Robert Naughton. In Sunday’s final event, Leduc would again finish in the runner’s up position this time behind series points leader Rob MacCachren. AMA multi-time national MX champion Ricky Johnson brought his Red Bull truck home in third but was later disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct. Johnson’s indiscretions moved Carl Renezeder to third overall. Good luck came late in the weekend for Renezeder who flipped his Lucas Oil-sponsored truck end-over-end in Saturday’s feature.

In the Pro Lite Unlimited class on Saturday, Hart & Huntington/Rockstar truck driver Chris Brandt took the checkers ahead of Monster Energy’s veteran ace Marty Hart with Jimmy Stephensen, Jacob Person and Adam Wik rounding out the top five. On Sunday, Hart claimed the win in a battle with former X-Games freestyle gold medalist Brian Deegan. Jacob Person and Adam Wik moved up one spot each from Saturday’s round finishing third and fourth respectively. Brandt could only manage a sixth place overall in Round 8 behind Anthony Verdone.

The E3 Spark Plugs team of Kevin Probst heads to San Bernandino, California, for Round 9 and Round 10 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Truck Series on August 7 & 8. The popular Glen Helen Raceway is always a favorite of diehard off road racing fans. Whether you’re cruising across town or testing your skills in the salt desert, E3 Car Spark Plugs with our patented DiamondFire technology offer you energy, efficiency and ecology for your ride. Remember to bookmark our website and check often for the latest results from the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Dean Wilson overcame the recent mistakes he made at Wortham to claim his first overall victory at Round Four of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship at Budds Creek, Maryland. Photo by Pro Circuit Kawasaki.

After a disappointing last lap mistake cost Canadian rookie Dean Wilson the overall win a couple of weeks ago, the Pro Circuit Kawasaki Lights rider dominated the second moto in the 250cc class at Budds Creek Motocross Park to claim his first national win. French teammate Christophe Pourcel led former South African World Champion motocrosser Tyla Rattray to the checkers in moto one just ahead of GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia in third. Wilson managed a fourth in moto one ahead of Honda’s Wil Hahn.

In the second moto of round four of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Championship, the Southern Maryland MX fans cheered  Barcia, a native of Ochlocknee, Georgia, to a second place overall on the day as the talented field of international stars looked to dominate the Americans. Rattray made a valiant charge late in the race but had to settle for a third place overall. Texas rider Wil Hahn and Yamaha’s Broc Tickle finished third and fourth respectively. Wilson’s win continued the streak of four different winners in the first four races of the 2010 pro MX season.

Mitch Peyton’s Pro Circuit circus leads the National Championship points chase with Christophe Pourcel twenty-five points in front of Rattray in second and Wilson one point back in third. The solid second place finish at the popular Budds Creek track moved Justin Barcia into fourth overall for the championship a single point in front of Michigan’s Broc Tickle and Oklahoma’s Trey Canard. Don’t forget to check the E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs website next weekend as the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship continues with round five at Thunder Valley Motocross Park as teams head west to Lakewood, Colorado, for a daytime event.

2010 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Pro Championship

AMA 250cc MX – Budds Creek National (Round 4)
1)    Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki        (4-1)
2)    Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA, Honda     (3-2)
3)    Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki         (2-3)
4)    Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki     (1-6)
5)    Wil Hahn, Decatur, TX, Honda         (5-4)
6)    Broc Tickle, Holly, MI, Yamaha         (6-5)
7)    Trey Canard, Shawnee, OK., Honda         (7-8)
8)    Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha        (9-10)
9)    Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, TX, Honda    (11-9)
10)    Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda            (10-12)

AMA 250CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1)    Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki    169
2)     Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki        -25
3)    Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki        -26
4)    Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA, Honda    -48
5)    Broc Tickle, Holly, MI Yamaha            -49
6)    Trey Canard, Shawnee, OK, Honda        -49
7)    Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda            -59
8)    Wil Hahn, Decatur, TX, Honda        -63
9)    Jake Weimer, Rupert, ID, Kawasaki        -75
10)    Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha        -87

Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series – Round Five

The Pro2 Unlimited Class of the E3 Spark Plugs Off-Road National, saw Todd Leduc in his Toyo Tires/Jagermeister Ford truck take an early race lead over fast qualifier Rob MacCachren and Rodrigo Ampudia runing second and third, respectively. Red Bull’s Ricky Johnson finished the day two laps down with a disappointing end to his attempt at winning his third Lucas Oil event in a row at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson clipped the outside wall on the opening lap and quickly found himself sidelined with mechanical problems. Once MacCachren got around Leduc, there was no looking back as his Ford truck outpaced the field to the checkered flag.

Lucas Oil/Tecate Ford driver Rodrigo Ampudia had a series high 2nd overall finish with a last lap, last jump pass on Leduc who was nursing his Ford truck home in third place with a bad transmission. Veteran racer Jeff Ward had a steady drive through the pack in his Speed Technologies/Goodyear Tires truck and gave Chevrolet a fourth overall finish on the day. The 4 Wheel Parts/Magnaflow Exhaust Ford of Greg Adler is “Leaving Las Vegas” with fifth place points from Round Five. The win at Las Vegas gave MacCachren a commanding 36-point lead over off-road truck series rival Ricky Johnson.

In the Pro Lite class of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Truck series from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, veteran racer Marty Hart grabbed the lead when inverted pole-sitter Adam Wik rolled his truck in turn one after the start. Wik landed on all fours but Jacob Person and defending class champion Brian Deegan slipped by for second and third behind Hart. When Rockstar/Metal Mulisha’s Deegan tried to pass Person’s Geiser Bros Ford, contact would leave Deegan sidelined with mechanical woes and out of the points. Later in the race, Matt Loiodice and Person would tangle allowing Adam Wik to recover from his lap one rollover and finish second overall on the day.

Kevin Probst #9 R/C Race Truck

Got a little race fan in the family? Look for a new toy truck just like the one racer Kevin Probst takes on the tracks.

E3 Racing Spark Plugs driver Kevin Probst had a disappointing seventeenth place in Round Five of the Pro 2 class finishing 11 laps down after getting caught up in another truck’s crash. The E3 race team would rebound the next day for a 6th place overall finish in Round 6. A little something for the youngest race fans: Over the weekend, Probst Motorsports announced two new partnerships with X-Factory R/C Cars and BC1 Graphics to create and market a toy truck just like the one he races. The Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series heads to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, for rounds 7 and 8 next weekend. Best of luck to Kevin and the rest of the E3 truck racing team. Catch all the action from Salt Lake City on June 26 & 27.

E3 Spark Plugs-Sponsored Off Road Racer Kevin Probst

“My dad started racing the old fiberglass dune buggies back in the late 60′s,” Kevin recently told EPN Newswire. “All of us on the team got our start racing buggies. One year, my brother and I raced every buggy class that was available. Sometimes we would run nine races a weekend between the two of us.”

Fast forward 30 years, and Kevin is still running the tracks hard, recently debuting his custom-built Pro 2 Unlimited truck at the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series in Las Vegas in March.  It’s the third consecutive season of the Probst Motorsports team being sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs. Kevin and his brother Jeff (no, not the Jeff Probst from CBS’ “Survivor”) own Probst Motorsports and Probst Collision Center in their hometown, New Lennox, IL. There, the family team including dad Steve, wife Vickie, son Ryan, daughter Kara and nephew Jon (a promising young racer himself) work tirelessly to create racing excellence. The Probst Collision Center is a GM-certified collision center and ASA and I-CAR certified repair facility. So, racing isn’t just a profitable hobby – it’s in the Probst blood.

“Probst Motorsports is a racing business we started for the love of off road racing,” Kevin says. And as all the greats in any sort of venture do, Probst is still learning the racing biz.

E3 Spark Plugs-Sponsored Kevin Probst's new Chevy UWeld Chassis truck developed for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

“That season was a learning curve,” Kevin said of the Lucas Oil 2009 season which featured a new off road-style racing facility. “I had to learn how to race the motocross style tracks that the series developed. We had only three days notice to come out and start the season, so we played catch up all year just trying to get up to speed and learn the system.”

The Probst team has since responded by developing the new truck, a Chevy UWeld chassis, specifically for the 2010 Lucas Oil series, and early indications point to a promising season. E3 Spark Plugs is excited to sponsor Kevin for the third consecutive season. Check the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series TV schedule on CBS Sports, SPEED TV, Versus and MavTV and stay tuned for some spectacular racing action.

After the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series event was restarted, MacCachren and Renezeder battled with off-road champ Ricky Johnson for a 1-2-3 finish. Former Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year Jeff Ward continued to show the talent that has earned him championships in AMA Motocross, Supercross and Supermoto as well as a pair ESPN X-Games Gold Medals. The 2009 Lucas Oil Off-Road rookie of the year finished the day in 5th place overall. In the dusty melee that ensued, Probst brought his E3 Pro 2 truck to the checkers to maintain his 11th position in the overall championship hunt.

In the popular Pro 4 class, the current points leader Rick Huseman held off a hard charging Carl Renezeder for the top spot on the podium. The Pro Lite class of the Lucas Oil Off-Road event saw Chris Brandt outlast former series champion and freestyle motocross rider Brian Deegan for the win. Don’t forget to catch Kevin Probst and the E3 Spark Plugs race team in action on July 11th at 2 p.m. EST when CBS Sports Spectacular broadcasts the Magnaflow Exhaust Off-Road National from famed Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, about 45 minutes west of Salt Lake City.

This year marks the third year for the Team Lucas-E3 Spark Plugs partnership with Illinois-based Probst Motorsports, featuring longtime racer Kevin Probst, a 30-year veteran of the sport. Probst will spend the 2010 season behind the wheel of a newly built Chevrolet Uweld Unlimited 2 chassis, specially designed for the Lucas series and assembled in just over six weeks, which debuted earlier this month at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s new off-road race facility.

Probst Motorsports is a family-owned-and-operated off-road racing company led by Kevin Probst and nephew Jon Probst, who began racing in 2006 and is quickly becoming a favored name on the off road truck racing scene.

Based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL E3 Spark Plugs manufactures and markets patented spark plugs for everything from chain saws to champion powersports vehicles. Developed to help customers increase power, improve fuel efficiency and reduce engine emissions that contribute to global warming, E3 spark plugs are engineered to completely and more efficiently burn the fuel/air mixture in the spark plug cylinder.

Lucas Oil, a leading manufacturer of high-quality automotive oil and additives, is based in Corona, CA with offices in Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Poland and the United Kingdom. The company has been involved in off-road racing as well as NASCAR, NHRA and the Indy Racing League for years and each year creates new and improved automotive products via its state-of-the-art laboratories.