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2010 |
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----- Mongo Racing Finishes Silver State Bilek 300 Strong The KC Hilites Ford F-150 of Mongo Racing may have finished the race in second place but the team had several victories on this day. The KC Hilites Ford F-150 normally driven by Randy Merritt was piloted today by Tracy Rubio of Kingman, AZ. Tracy also did the initial build of the Mongo Racing Ford F-150. Randy Merritt said, “After my injury at the Parker 425 the doctor told me I needed 6 months to heal and it’s too soon to race so I called the best guy I know to drive the KC Hilites Ford F-150 for this race. Tracy initially told me he was driving his truck, but after a month of negotiating Tracy agreed to pilot the KC Hilites Ford F-150. Besides the late Manny Esquerra no one has taken the green flag in this truck but me. I’ve wanted to get behind the wheel for weeks now but I have to do what the doctor says in order to race “Vegas to Reno” in August. Today I’m doing something different, I’ve never been in the pits or chased an entire race with my team, normally I’m driving the race truck.” Randy’s normal co-rider Chris Golding was in the race truck; it was to Chris to help Tracy learn the characteristics and handling of the KC Hilites Ford F-150 as quickly as possible. The Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 took the green flag at 11:11 am, starting 4th in class with the plan to drive a conservative pace, settle into the truck and see where everyone was with 150 miles to the finish. Shortly after the start of the race the Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 closed in on the truck occupying 3rd and by race-mile 26 was in 3rd position physically. The class stayed close together on the track as they passed slower traffic ahead of them. The quick pace of the race came to a quick stop for everyone else but the leader at race mile 94 when another race vehicle got stuck and blocked the course in a silt bed. This caused the KC Hilites Ford F-150 to also get stuck along with the rest of the 8100 class. The Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 was able to get unstuck with help of Curtis and David Warner in their 4410 race vehicle. The KC Hilites Ford F-150 entered the second pit in second place and after a quick pit stop was able to retain second place, but was 19 minutes behind the leader. As the course winded through the mountains near Caliente NV, the KC Hilites Ford F-150 gained time on the leader. The Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 was scheduled to stop at pit 5 for fuel only and that’s all the truck needed. The KC Hilites Ford F-150 proved tough as it was put through its paces charging through the desert. The KC Hilites Ford F-150 was 16 minutes behind the leader with 60 miles to the finish and it was up to Tracy and Chris to do their best. At the finish line Randy was nervous as this was the first time in his career he was waiting for his truck to finish a race and a win a possibility. The team was out of radio contact for almost an hour, but soon heard the familiar sound of the KC Hilites Ford F-150 as it crested the hill top coming to the finish line. At the finish line Randy said, “It’s rare for two trucks in this class to go all day with no problems, but today I’m excited for the finish and the second place.” On the podium Tracy said, “The Mongo Racing team did a great job prepping the KC Hilites Ford F-150 and it ran great all day; all I did was show up, get in and drive with no problems.” Chris added, “We had no flats as we tortured the Goodyear Wrangler Tires on this truck trying to catch the leader, with exception of getting stuck behind someone else we had a great day. The new Master Craft seats in this truck made huge difference in comfort while racing.” The next race for Mongo Racing is the “TSCO Vegas to Reno”, The Longest Off-Road Race in the United States on August 19-21, 2010. Mongo Racing would like to thank their sponsors: Ford Trucks, KC Hilites, Master Craft, Sway-A-Way, Raceline Wheels, Bodyline Auto body and Paint, Royal Purple Lubricants, Goodyear Tires, Yukon Gear, Autometer, UMP, CAMBURG Engineering, MSD Ignition, EBC Brakes and Mongo Made Custom Graphics. For more information on Randy Merritt or Mongo Racing please visit www.mongoracing.com. #### |
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