KYLE LEDUC AND THE MONSTER ENERGY TOYO TIRES KYLE LEDUC 99 TEAM TAKE HOME A CHAMPIONSHIP AT FIREBIRD RACEWAY IN CHANDLER, ARIZONA
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With an impressive 2012 season in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Kyle LeDuc was in a make or break situation going into Round 15. LeDuc had a couple freak mechanical failures mid way through the season and was forced to perform under the gun in Arizona.
Sitting in first place by just 16 points ahead of the rest of the competition, Kyle knew he had to not only finish the race, but finish well. LeDuc once again qualified at the front of the pack in Round 15. Tragically, moments before the green flag dropped, LeDuc discovered a mechanical problem that would prevent him from running at 100%. Not wanting to wreck anybody else’s race or spoil his chances at earning a championship, LeDuc voluntarily moved himself to the rear of the field and positioned himself dead last.
LeDuc waited patiently and meticulously plotted his next move. After gaining confidence in his Monster Energy Toyo Tires Pro 4 Unlimited, LeDuc attacked. Kyle LeDuc battled through the field and picked off the competitors one by one.
“We knew we had our work cut out for us and I didn’t want to give these guys anything. We didn’t come this far and work this hard all season long only to roll over on our backs in the last round,” LeDuc said.
LeDuc worked his way around 10 competitors shorty after the mandatory caution lap half way through the race. Showing the true grit of the LeDuc 99 team, Kyle LeDuc battled all the way to the checkered flag and finished the race with a well-earned third place finish. This third place finish secured LeDuc the 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Championship in the Pro 4 Unlimited division.
“I couldn’t have done this without an amazing group of people behind me, without Amber Mader, Richard Holmes and Kevin Huseman winning the championship would have never been possible,” Kyle LeDuc said. LeDuc went on to say, “I owe allot of my success to my Dad (Curt LeDuc) for putting it in my mind and sole that second is never ok. I started winning with his direction and became an awesome driver by wanting it and knowing that anyone can be beat as long as you work hard and drive harder. Now we’re at the top of our sport as Pro4 points champs, amazing.”
Almost as prestigious as a series Championship but more suited for ultimate bragging rights, the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series plays host to one of the most intense battles between the Pro 2 and Pro 4 Unlimited classes in a 20 lap cage match called the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup.
Being that Kyle LeDuc is the 2012 Pro 4 Unlimited Champion, not only was he forced to line up behind 20 Pro 2 racers, but he was also forced to line up behind 13 Pro 4 racers. I guess that’s what you get for being the best at what you do.
When the green flag dropped LeDuc dropped the hammer on his Monster Energy Toyo Tires Pro 4 Unlimited and started working his way through the competition. Upon the mandatory caution lap half way though the race, LeDuc found himself sitting in the top 3 (of 33 trucks). After the restart, Kyle LeDuc was leading the race but it was short lived after tragedy stuck after turn 1 and sent LeDuc catapulting through the air and ending any chance he had at earning the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup and a check for $30,000.
Kyle would like to thank all of his sponsors for a championship 2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series season:
Monster Energy Drink – Toyo Tires – Kalgard Lubricants – King Shocks – K&N Airfilters – Currie Enterprises – Makita industrial tools – Sparco suits and helmets – West Coast Electric – Xtrac transmissions – DUC innovations LLC – Pro Power Racing Engines -Wilwood brakes – Filtrate Eyewear – DVS shoes – Procomp Racing Wheels – Rc10.com
Podium and Cup Race photos by Jason Zindroski
Action photos by Vincent Knakal
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