Lucas Baja Racing Makes the Jump to Trophy Trucks

The Blue Water Resort and Casino Parker “425” February 2-4, will mark the first ever Trophy Truck race for the Lucas Baja Racing Team. After a year of Pro Truck racing the team decided it was time to step up to the upper echelon of Off-Road Racing.

Chris Lucas and Rick Johnson will handle the driving duties for the team. The emotions are running high for these two who will also be making their Trophy Truck debut.

“Anticipation, excitement, worry, you name it, and we’re feeling it,” said Johnson. “We’re just trying to be ready.”

The objective is realistic for this opening race, understanding that it is still the early stages of a huge transition.

“The goal is to finish in the top five,” stated Lucas. “But first and foremost get across the finish line. Get some good hard miles on the truck and sort the race out as it comes.”

Johnson sees this race as a measuring stick for the team. “It is going to be a test to see where we are at,” he said. “This is a whole new animal for all of us.”

The team has developed a brand new truck powered by Ford; a large part of the foundation for their success. The truck was on display recently at the “Off-Road Impact” trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was well received by experts in the sport.

There are two new sponsors for the upcoming season, Blanco Basura and Mac Tools. “We have been using Mac Tools even back in the Indy car days and we are thrilled that they were willing to be a part of our program in Off-Road Racing as well,” said co-driver Eric Place. “Blanco Basura is a clothing company popular with the younger generation that really embraces our sport.” Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming race, the team is thrilled to have made it to the highest level of Off-Road Racing.

“Now we’re racing versus legendary drivers,” co-driver Eric Place points out. “The guys we have been watching all of our lives.”

Johnson certainly is not taking this experience for granted. “It has been a long time coming; there has been lot of hard work by all of us to get to this point. It is a dream come true for me.” The team will also still be entering a Pro Truck in the Parker “425” driven by Rob Reinerston and Rick Taylor.

The 2006 season ended on a solid note for the squad at the Glen Helen Raceway in California in December. A fantastic start had the team out near the front for much of the race. Unfortunately, the rear end went out on the Pro Truck in the closing laps and dropped them out of a top three finish. Still, the race showcased the teams’ perseverance as they battled thru setbacks.

The “425” is the first of seven races in 2007 for the Lucas Baja Racing team. Five of those seven races, including this race, are a part of the “Best in the Desert” racing association. The other two races are the Baja 500 and 1,000.

The Glen Helen Raceway will be televised on the Outdoor Channel on February 9, March 23, May 4, June 29 and July 13. The Parker “425” truck races will be on March 16, April 27, June 22 and August 17.