When the TORC Series comes to Crandon in the fall, some rain during the event is highly likely. This year’s event, dubbed the “Keys to the Big House,” had so much rain it washed out the pro classes slated to race on Saturday. The mud got so deep during the sportsman races in the morning it was decided to call off the pros until the following day.

The Pro-2 and Pro-4 classes would already be racing twice on Sunday so their races were now worth double points – one double points race to decide the points championship and another race to see who would win a pile of cash and etch their name on the side of the Amsoil Cup. Prolite would race twice on the same day to settle their season-long points championship. The rains held off for Round 14. Jeff Nordstrom, his crew, and the track crew at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway did a remarkable job getting the track in shape for what was to be some of the best racing of the season.

 
The first Pro-4 race would offer double points in a battle that would decide the championship. Kyle LeDuc and brother Todd made the trip east to throw their hats in the ring for the Amsoil Cup. Kyle missed practice on Friday to replace an engine they had concerns with during the parade in town. He had no intentions of impacting the points chase during the final round of Pro-4 until they decided the finishing order would determine the starting grid for the Amsoil Cup race. Granted, it was a bit of a long shot for second-place Mark Jenkins to overtake points leader Johnny Greaves for the Pro-4 title during the race, but the double points race made it possible (just not probable).
When Mark Jenkins pulled off the course due to a mechanical issue, the championship was Johnny’s. LeDuc was also free to open it up – and free it up he did. Backing his way through the corners reminiscent of Rick Huseman, he started a charge to the front that left his Monster Energy teammates CJ and Johnny Greaves to fight for second.

Kyle LeDuc took the win with Johnny, the Pro-4 championship winner, in second and son CJ in third. Kyle commented on the Monster Energy sweep of the podium, stating, “Monster Energy has a huge presence here, I think you just saw that.”

The first Pro-Light saw CJ Greaves run away from the field once he got out front. Doug Mittag finished second and Travis Dinsmore passed Brad Lovell in the final turn to finish third.  Lovell had run third most of the race until a mechanical issue on the last lap.

In the first Pro-2 race, it was Jarit Johnson who took the holeshot to lead the first lap followed by Chad Hord and CJ Greaves. Johnson was holding his own until he broke something that sidelined only a few laps into the race. This put Hord in front by himself ahead of the field. Greaves was running just behind Hord in second when Keegan Kincaid tapped him in the back sent him spinning. Due to a rollover and fire on Andy Zipperer’s truck, a full-course caution came out reverting the order to the last complete lap. Greaves was able to get his second-place position back and Kincaid was sent to the rear after receiving a black flag.

TORC CRANDON PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

After the re-start, Hord and Greaves battled intensely for the lead, while RJ Anderson ran un-opposed in third. Just when it looked like RJ would reach the podium he rolled in the gravel pit and handed the position to Steve Barlow. Hord outran Greaves for the win, but Greaves gained enough points with second to secure the Pro-2 Championship. 

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