Thursday, June 21, 2007

Las Vegans B. J. Richardson in Overall and Class 1

June 20, 2007

Steele still ahead in SCORE Lite
Las Vegans B. J. Richardson in Overall and Class 1; B.J. Baldwin
In SCORE Trophy-Truck leading 2007 SCORE Desert Series points


Round 4—SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup III, July 19-21,
At The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LOS ANGELES—After defeating a talented field of 48 Class 1 starters for his first major race victory at the recent 39th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, Las Vegan B.J. Richardson continues to hold the Overall and unlimited Class 1 point lead midway through the 2007 SCORE Desert Series schedule. Following a second in Class 1 at the 13th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in January and a fourth in Class 1 March’s 21st Tecate SCORE Baja 250, prior to his Class 1 victory on June 2, the veteran Richardson continues to be the leader of the record-setting pack in the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series.
Richardson, 41, who drives a Valley Performance-prepped, Chevy-powered Bunderson open-wheel desert race car, has 361 points to lead the 2007 Overall and Class 1 point standings after three rounds of the six-race 2007 SCORE Desert Series. The team is sponsored by John Gaughan’s Las Vegas Dissemination Company.
The six-race 2007 SCORE Desert Series is now preparing to head to Las Vegas for the second of its three annual races in the Southern Nevada. Round 4 of the 2007 series will be the unique and relatively new SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup III, to be held July 19-21 under the lights at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Showcasing the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division along with the featured unlimited Class 1 desert race cars, the fan-friendly Las Vegas event will have four other of its desert racing car and truck classes competing in separate races in the two-day event on the purpose-built 1.5 ‘Chunk of Baja’ course that runs in and around the outside perimeter of the 9,000-seat LVMS Dirt Track. Racing will start at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night (July 20-21). Also racing will be Class 1-2/1600, Class 7, Class 10 and SCORE Lite.
As a prelude to the two days of racing, the SCORE Las Vegas Pit Stop at the Fremont Street Experience will be held on Thursday, July 19. At the SCORE Pit Stop, starting at 6 p.m., there will be a vehicle display and meet the SCORE racers autograph party. The $10,000 Terrible’s Pit Crew Challenge for SCORE Trophy-Trucks will start at 8 p.m. under the multi-million dollar VIVAvision Light & Sound Show canopy on Fremont Street.
A total of just 52 points separate the top 20 overall point leaders after the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, which was held June 2-3 with an all-time SCORE record 492 starters.
Hovering right behind Richardson in in the Overall standings just 16 points back with 245 points is defending series SCORE Trophy-Truck point champion B.J. Baldwin, who is also from Las Vegas.
Two other Las Vegas drivers are co-drivers in the third and fourth place teams in the SCORE Overall Point Standings and the two are also second and third in the SCORE Trophy-Truck points.
In third place is the team of Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, with 242 points while fourth overall and third in SCORE Trophy-Truck is the team of Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz./Brian Collins, Las Vegas with 233 points.
B.J. Baldwin, who drives the No. 1 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Sivlerado, Post/MacCachren, who drive the No. 3 Riviera Racing Ford F-150 and Ragland/Collins, who drive the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Chevy Silverado, have each captured one of the Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins so far this season.
Tied for fourth overall and second in Class 1 points with 233 after three races is Bill Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif., who drives a Porter-Chevy.
SCORE points are determined both on final finishing position and number of vehicles that started the race within the individual class.
“So far, we are keeping it all together, but we’re only half-way home,” said Richardson, whose only other career SCORE race win was in Class 10 with Las Vegas’ Kory Scheeler at the old SCORE Fireworks 250 in 1997. “We concentrating on going for the SCORE Class 1 season point championship and now we get to race in front of the hometown fans in Las Vegas. It should be a whole lot of fun and it’s going to be great for our family and friends to be able to see much more of what we do than they can out in the open desert.”
Richardson’s partner in racing and in business is John Gaughan, son of prominent Las Vegas Casino owner Michael Gaughan. The younger Gaughan split the driving with Richardson for the first three of their seven year partnership, but now oversees race action from the team’s helicopter. They are also partners in Gaughan/Richardson Development and recently started Gaughan Gaming together.
In the recent Tecate SCORE Baja 500, Richardson not only won Class 1 and 10th overall with a class winning margin of just under six races.
Just seven points separate the next five drivers in SCORE Overall points. Tied for sixth overall with 232 points after three races are Alan Pflueger and Dave Caspino. Fourth in SCORE Trophy-Truck, Hawaii’s Pflueger, was 10th in class at the SCORE Baja 500 in the No. 28 Pflueger Racing Chevy Silverado while Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., won Class 1-2/1600 in a Lothringer-VW to take the season point lead in his class.
Eighth in overall points and third in Class 1 with 226 points is the team of Max Thieriot, Petaluma, Calif./Glenn Harris, Camarillo, Calif., in a RPS-Chevy. Harris is a veteran SCORE racer while Thieriot, 18, is a budding Hollywood actor who has a co-starring role in this summer’s hit move ‘Nancy Drew.’
Tied for ninth in overall points with 225 each are Garron Cadiente and Ronny Wilson. Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., is also fifth in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the No. 38 G&R Racing Ford F-150 while Ro. Wilson is fourth in Class 1 in a Jimco-Chevy.
The only two racers in 4-wheel vehicle classes who have started the 2007 season with three straight wins to lead the points in their respective classes are Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix (Class 8, Chevy Silverado) and Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico (Class 10,Jimco-Honda).
With motorcycles and ATV classes joining the cars and trucks in SCORE races in Mexico, the overall point leaders after two of three races are the Robby Bell-led team in motorcycles and the Danny Prather-led team in ATVs.
Bell, Murrieta, Calif. and teammates Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., have 180 points on the No. 1x American Honda Racing CRF450X. The trio defeated a motorcycle race-high field of 24 starters in Class 22 at the SCORE Baja 500, the most starters in the open motorcycle class in over a decade. It was the second straight win over the SCORE season.
Prather, Ramona, Calif., and his teammates Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif., Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif. and Marc Spaeth, Warner, Calif., have two wins and 169 points to lead Class 25 on their Honda TRX450R.
Among the other motorcycle classes, veteran Jim O’Neal, 60, Chatsworth, Calif., and his put together two teams of talented riders and leads the points in both age group classes. O’Neal and his merry men lead both Class 30 (riders over 30 years old) on a Honda CRF450X and Class 50 (riders over 50 years old) on an O’Neal Racing Honda XR650R. O’Neal’s teams have won both races this year in Class 30 and one in Class 50.
The 2007 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $75,000 Kartek Off-Road contingency bonus to be awarded to several 2007 SCORE Class point champions along with the run for the $12,000 Toyota True Grit and Toyota Milestone Awards.
Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Sunoco Race Fuels/Bryant Petroleum-official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Volkswagen-official vehicle, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, American Racing ATX Series-official wheel, Slime-official tire sealant, Airstar America-official space lighting provider, Red Bull--official energy drink and Bosch Power Tools-official power tool. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Communications, Kartek Off-Road, Fram, Autolite, Prestone, Bendix, American Suzuki, NAPA Chassis, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
For ticket information for the SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup III, visit the event website at www.scorelasvegas.com.
For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

2007 SCORE Desert Series
Point Leaders

(Six-race point series in U.S. and Mexico)

(Through the 39th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 1-3--Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Remaining schedules: SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup III, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, July 19-21; 12th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, Sept. 7-9--Primm, Nev., 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Nov. 10-16—Tijuana-Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

Top 20 SCORE Overall Cars and Trucks
(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)
1. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (CLASS 1), 261
2. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 245
3. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 242
4. Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz./Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 233
4. Bill Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy (CLASS 1), 233
6. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 232
6. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 232
8. Max Thieriot, Petaluma, Calif., RPS-Chevy (CLASS 1), 226
9. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 225
9. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 225
11. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda (CLASS 10), 223
12. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 222
12. L.J. Kennedy, Orange, Calif./Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas, ChenoSPF-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 222
14. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Desert Assassin-VW (SCORE Lite), 218
15. Scott Wisdom, Lake Forest, Calif., Mirage-VW (SCORE Lite), 217
16. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 216
17. Stan Potter, San Marcos, Calif./Dan Worley, Encinitas, Calif. (SCORE Lite), 214
18. Daniel McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., Jimco-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 213
19. Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif., Lothringer-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 213
20. Eric Chase, San Diego/Stuart Chase, Burbank, Calif., Penhall-Chevy (CLASS 1), 209

2007 SCORE Desert Series
Class Point Leaders
(Thru Tecate SCORE Baja 500-June 2-3)
(With Class wins in parenthesis)

Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK—1. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (1), 245; 2. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (1), 242; 3. Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz.,/Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (1), 233; 4. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado, 232; 5. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 225; 6. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 222; 7. (TIE) Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150 and Travis Coyne, El Centro, Calif., Ford F-150, 198; 9. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz., Chevy C1500, 184; 10. Andy McMillin, National City, Calif./Scott McMillin, Coronado, Calif., Chevy CK1500, 176; 11. Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif./Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado 176; 12. (TIE) Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150; Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Ford F-150 and Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford F-150, 168.
CLASS 1—1. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (1), 261; 2. Bill Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 233; 3. Max Thieriot, Petaluma, Calif./Glenn Harris, Camarillo, Calif., RPS-Chevy, 226; 4. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 225; 5. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 216; 6. Eric Chase, Burbank, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 209; 7. Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif./Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Smithbuilt-Ford (1), 203, 8. Dale Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 194; 9. Dan Myers, Newport Beach, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 190; 10. Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Porter-Chevy, 174. ALSO: 20. Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 132; 24. Brendan Gaughan, Las Vegas, Kreger-Chevy, 115.
CLASS 1-2/1600—1. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW (1), 232; 2. L.J. Kennedy, Orange, Calif./Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas, ChenoSPF-VW, 222; 3. (TIE) Daniel McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Caleb Gaddis, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW (1) and Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 213; 5. Arnoldo Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, Curry-VW, 208.
CLASS 3—1. Dylan Evans, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Toyota FJ Cruiser (1), 144, 2. Chris Raffo, Arlington Heights, Ill., 113; 3. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (1), 85; 4. Ken Leavitt, Las Vegas, Ford Bronco (1), 62.
CLASS 5—1. Chris Bowman, Upland, Calif., VW Baja Bug, 177; 2. George Seeley, Glendale, Calif., VW Baja Bug (1), 172; 3. Luivan Voelker, Mexicali, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (2), 165.
CLASS 5/1600—1. Mario Reynoso, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (1), 188; 2. Adolfo Aguilar Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., VW Baja Bug, 178.
CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Summerland, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 175; 2. Barry Karakas, Oak Hills, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 164, 3. Shannon Dierkop, Campo, Calif., Ford Ranger, 144; 4. Steve Looney, Campo, Calif., Ford Ranger, 104.
CLASS 7S—1. Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, Calif., Toyota Tacoma (2), 150.
CLASS 7SX—1. Rich Severson, Mesa, Ariz., Ford Ranger, 184; 2. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger, 170; 3. Jim Hinesley, Bakersfield, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 162; 4. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger, 135; 5. Noe Sierra, San Bernardino, Calif., Ford Ranger, 119.
CLASS 8—1. Nick Vanderwey/Michael Vanderwey, Phoenix/Larry Vanderwey, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Chevy Silverado (3), 194; 2. Glen Greer, Green Valley, Ariz., Dodge Ram 1500, 151; 3. Greg Adler, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 111.
CLASS 9—1. Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico, Garibay-VW (2), 150.
CLASS 10—1. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda (3), 223; 2. Mark Weger, Lancaster, Calif., RPS-Honda, 182; 3. Alex Crosthwaite, San Diego, Jimco-Honda, 156; 4. Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, Calif., AlumiCraft-Honda, 123; 5. Corey Keysar, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jimco-Honda, 103. ALSO: 10. Robert McBeath, Las Vegas, Jimco-Honda, 73.
SCORE LITE—1. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Desert Assassin-VW, 218; 2. Scott Wisdom, Lake Forest, Calif., Mirage-VW (1), 217; 3. Stan Potter, San Marcos, Calif./Dan Worley, Encinitas, Calif., Jimco-VW (1), 214; 4. Tim Noe, San Diego/Tom Watson, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW, 208; 5. David Callaway, Menifee, Calif./Scott Mapes, Riverside, Calif., Dunrite-VW, 199. ALSO: 11. Mike Williams, Prescott, Ariz., Meco-VW (1), 130.
CLASS 11—1. Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan (2), 151.
STOCK FULL—1. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif., Ford F-350 (1), 175; 2. Terry Henn, Walnut, Calif., Hummer H1 (1), 135; 3. Loren Worthington, Leona Valley, Calif., Dodge 2500, 112. ALSO: 5. Josh Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H2 (1), 73.
STOCK MINI—1. Gavin Skilton, Orange, Calif., Honda Ridgeline (1), 138; 2. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 (2), 125.
PROTRUCK—1. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150 (1), 168; 2. Jim Wasson, Hobart, Wash., Chevy Silverado, 112; 3. Gus Vidosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico/Bryan Freeman, Henderson, Nev. (1), 93.
CLASS 17—1. Bob Land, Lake Forest, Calif./Jim Winovitch, Murrieta, Calif., Jeep Cherokee, 80.

Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22—1. Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 180; 2. Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, Calif./Aaron Tuck, Brawley, Calif./Westley Garrett, Riverside, Calif., Honda XR650R, 157; 3. Kevin Johnson, Henderson, Nev./Eric Rasmussen, Reno, Nev., Honda CRF450X, 152; 4. Chris Blais, Apple Valley, Calif./David Pearson, Las Vegas, KTM525XC, 149; 5. (TIE) Dan Walsh, Ramona, Calif./Steve Martz, San Marcos, Calif., Kawasaki KLX450 and Jesse Sharpe, Escondido, Calif./Dean Sharpe, Ramona, Calif., Honda XR650R, 148; 7. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 143.
CLASS 21—1. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 178; 2. Ryan Gustine, San Diego/Robert Gustine, Valley Center, Calif./Bob Walker, San Marcos, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 159; 3. Joey Lane, El Cajon, Calif./Fred Willert, Pacifc Beach, Calif., Husqvarna TC450, 150.
CLASS 20—1. Ryan Penhall/Connor Penhall, Corona, Calif./Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif., Honda CRF250X (2), 150; 2. Mark Chicado, Las Vegas, Yamaha WR250F, 138.
CLASS 30—1. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Steve Garnett, Carson City, Nev., Honda CRF450X (2), 177; 2. Gerardo Rojas/Maurizo Carminati, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 161; 3. Nicola Dutto, Italy/Martin Lamourex, Canada, Honda CRF450X, 151; 4. Steve Bailor, Fullerton, Calif./Mark Goelz, Chatsworth, Calif., Honda XR650R, 142.
CLASS 40—1. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Greg Zitterkopf, Grand Junction, Colo., Honda CRF450X (2), 175; 2. Donald Connelly, El Cajon, Calif./Earl Roberts, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 152; 3. Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif./Donnie Dearman,Torrance, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 145; 4. Paul Needels, Westlake Village, Calif./Randy Morales, Honda CRF450X, 141.
CLASS 50—1. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Mike Sixberry, Bullhead City, Ariz./Charlie Marshall, Carmichael, Calif./Rick Gill Carpineria, Calif. Honda XR650R (1), 144.
CLASS 60—1. Donald Lewis, Upland, Calif./Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif., Honda XR650R (1), 144.

Pro ATVs
CLASS 25—1. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Warner, Calif., Honda TRX450R (2), 169; 2. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz., Honda TRX450R, 157; 3. Carmen Cafro, Vista, Calif./Lance Schoonmaker, Alpine, Calif./Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 146; 4. Jeff Hancock, Salome, Ariz./Jose Edwards, Peoria, Ariz./Kirk Schreier, Phoenix, Honda TRX 450R, 144.
CLASS 24—1. Daniel Marin Jr./Buillermo Marin, San Ysidro, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 137; 2. Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro, Chula Vista, Calif., Yamaha WFC450 (1), 99; 3. Adolfo Arellano/Chris Valles, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R (1), 93.

Sportsman
SPT TRUCK—1. Mark Growe/Keith Growe, Placentia, Calif., Ford Ranger, 130.
SPT CAR—1. Peter Lang/Terry Cottar, Santa Rosa, Calif., Homebuilt-Chevy (1), 106.
SPT UTV--1. Matt Parks, Newport Beach, Calif., Polaris Ranger (1), 65.
SPT M/C>250cc—1. Javier Hernandez, Obregon, Mexico/Eduardo Rosas, Huatabampo, Mexico, Honda CRF450X (1), 203.
SPT M/C<250cc—1. Enrique Legaspy/Abraham Legaspy, Punto Colonett, Mexico, Honda CRF250R (2), 160.
SPT ATV—1. Davide Corbani/Stefano Caputo, San Felipe, Mexico (Italy), Honda TRX450R (1), 179.

Manufacturers
Engine Builder—1. Major Performance, 419; 2. FAT Performance, 336; 3. Kroyer, 196; 4. Valley Performance, 119; 5. Wiks, 107.
Original Buggy Chassis—1. Jimco, 435; 2. Bunderson, 119; 3. Lothringer, 99; 4. MECO, 97; 5. Mirage, 59.