Crandon, WI (June 24, 2009)—The Traxxas TORC Series came to Crandon International Off Road Raceway for rounds five and six of the 2009 schedule. It was the LeDuc team’s turn to make the 2,000 mile trek to Wisconsin to compete at the most prestigious track on the TORC circuit, in front of over 24,000 fans.
A unique characteristic of the infamous Crandon Int. Raceway is the competition land rush start. The 17 Pro 2WD drivers lined up in one row, 17 wide, as oppose to the traditional two by two NASCAR style start. The Crandon racetrack is unlike other TORC Series race tracks in that each lap is over twice the distance, resulting in a 10 lap race, as oppose to 20 laps.
Saturday’s Pro 2WD action began underway as the Rockstar / Makita driver Todd LeDuc started in the number two position which proved beneficial as he grabbed the hole-shot into turn one, and took the early lead. Todd retained his first place position after the mid-race mandatory yellow flag, but a fierce battle with Rob MacCachren ensued at lap seven. Rob narrowly passed Todd in turn three as they both pulled away from the rest of the field. With only two laps two go, Todd looked for every opportunity to regain his lead. Todd admits, “Rob basically out foxxed me running that good line in the Gravel Pit”. Todd ultimately crossed the finish line only one truck length behind Rob MacCachren, clinching the second place finish. After Saturday’s round five, Todd moved from fifth in points to third behind points leaders Ricky Johnson and Rob MacCachren.
Todd LeDuc takes the holeshot on Saterday
Round six of The TORC Series on Sunday packed even more action into the Pro 2WD class. Although Todd started fourth on the starting grid, it was Ricky Johnson who pulled the hole-shot first. Todd’s engine hesitated at the start leaving him to settle for a sixth place beginning. He maintained that position until the competition yellow flag at lap number five. At the mid-race restart, Todd knew he needed to make his move to the front. Rob MacCachren was Todd’s first victim before quickly driving around Dan Vanden Heuvel for the fourth place spot.
The pass around Jeremy McGrath was considered simple compared to the battle that lay ahead with Ricky Johnson for second place. Coming into lap eight, Todd smelled blood as Ricky Johnson slowly developed a rear flat tire. Entering lap nine Todd made his move by bumping Ricky from behind and passing him on the inside. Ricky Johnson obviously did not appreciate Todd’s bump, as he returned the gesture by using his truck to remove Todd’s Rockstar paint. However, it did not work, as Todd finished in second place behind race leader Scott Taylor. After the round, Todd said, “Wow, that race felt like a desert race, it was so dusty. I took a lot of risks and they all paid off”. The risks on the track and two second place finishes catapulted Todd into second place in the TORC Series points.
Televised coverage of rounds five and six at Crandon International Raceway can be seen on ESPN2 on Sunday, June 28 at 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST. Todd LeDuc’s next stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Michigan for rounds seven and eight. The action will take place over two days, July 11th and 12th.