SMD Motorsports Baja Bound Team
Prepared for its First SCORE Event of the Year

Heber, Calif. (May 10, 2006) - The SMD Motorsports team of father Steve Scaroni and his two sons, Matt and David, have fond memories of Baja - not just of growing up watching their father race in the desert, but also memories of winning in the most famous of all off-road racing locales.

The team won the 2003 SCORE Baja 1000 in the Protruck division, and captured three wins in 2004, as well as the Protruck championship and the points championship in both the SCORE and Best in the Desert series - an unprecedented Triple Crown! Last year, SMD Motorsports transitioned from the Protruck division to the elite Trophy Truck class - the premier division in off-road racing. So although this will be the team's first race of 2006 on the SCORE Desert Series, no one would be surprised if they won the event.

"Baja is our favorite place to race," David, the youngest son and lead driver, said. "We love the terrain, love the people, and we are totally enthralled by the taste of victory in Baja. Our motto for this race is 'Gotta Go!' We are third off the line, so we are going to use that to our advantage and hope to capitalize on our good starting position. Our truck is suited for Baja, so we have high hopes heading into the race."

"This is a tough race, but we know what it takes to win," Steve Scaroni said. "We have won in Baja before in 2003 and 2004. We grew up coming here, so we feel at home and confident heading into the race. We have put a lot into preparation and have done our homework, but that can all go out the window when you are in Baja."

The 38th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the third event of the six-race 2006 SCORE Desert Series, will be held Saturday, June 3 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The 424.29-mile adventure will be run over the desert course with a 17-hour time limit to complete the race. More than 400 racers from seven countries and 25 states are scheduled to compete, including a record 40 in the elite Trophy Truck division. The No. 27 SMD Motorsports Ford F-150 is the third Trophy Truck off the line.

"The course is a true Baja-type course," said Matt Scaroni. "It is technical, rough and fast, and has a lot of variety. It will wear you down, both physically and mentally, if you let it. We've got to be patient and take care of our equipment in certain areas and know when to go all out in others. That's going to be a key to winning this race. It is going to take a total team effort to win."

"This is another big step for us fulfilling our long-term plan of becoming the best off-road Trophy Truck racing team that we can be," Steve Scaroni said. "We have the talent, the backing and the experience to win. With all of our preparation and planning, we are looking forward to racing. All that's left is to go out and perform."

For more info about SMD Motorsports visit: www.smdmotorsports.com.
For info about the 38th Annual Baja 500 visit: http://www.DesertRacing.com