JERETT BROOKS SPEEDS TO A PRO 2 PODIUM FINISH AT GLEN HELEN

San Bernardino, CA

Jerett Brooks, driver of the #77 Rigid Industries / Bilstein / General Tire / KMC Wheels Pro 2, is in leading contention to clinch a Pro 2 Championship in the premier class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS). Rounds 7 & 8 and the US Golden State Nationals presented by General Tire tested Brooks’ endurance as he aims to win the prestigious title. A super-fast truck and stellar driving performance earned Jerett two top qualifying pole positions, two Optima Batteries Fast Lap Awards, and a 3rd place podium to push him that much closer.

Coming in hot off a big victory and being crowned the 2019 Crandon Pro 2 World Champion, Jerett buckled back down into strategic racing and points hunting. The #77 Pro 2 unloaded off the rig fast from the get-go. Brooks was laying down blazing quick lap times during the practice sessions that could have made him qualify P1. His Round 7 qualifying time was even faster at 51.185 on Lap 2 with a top speed of 70.333 MPH.

“Well, everything is looking good,” declared Jerett. “We have the fast setup nailed down and dialed right out of the box. The General Tire Grabber X3s on KMC XD Wheels have us hooked up and the Rigid Industries truck is a blast to drive!”

Qualifying first in short course off road racing does not always mean you get to start first. The LOORRS Series Pro 2 Division features regular high horsepower trucks (Pro 2) and another group of lesser-powered trucks (Pro 2M or 410s), all competing for the same win and points. Race officials handicap this group with a timed head start that differs for one reason or another. After the green flag drops, some 17 seconds later, Brooks and the rest of the Pro 2 Trucks get the go light.

By Lap 3, the #77 Pro 2 had moved halfway through the Pro 2 M Trucks and was on a mission to get to the front. “I got a great start,” Brooks explained. “I had worked my way through the 410s right away. I got up into 2nd place and was chasing down Jeremy McGrath. We had about three laps to go, and I was in a position to press in and go after the win, but then I had a tire go down and that just took us out of the race. I am pretty bummed that we left a lot of points on the table, but that is how racing goes.” Jerett Brooks earned the Optima Batteries Fast Lap Award on Lap 2 with the fastest time around the 1 mile track of 51.369 Seconds at 70.081 MPH.

For Round 8 on Sunday, the Rigid Industries #77 scored the top qualifying lap time, but as previously mentioned, would again be starting behind a large group of Pro 2 M Trucks, all with a 17-second head start. “I am just going into the race trying to be smart, finish well, and get those points. That is what I need to do, so that is the mission.”

After all trucks got the go, Brooks had maneuvered into the Top 5 by Lap 3. Carefully picking off the 410s and staying clear of the carnage, Jerett was cutting through the field with precision. Steady on the move, Brooks pushed his way into 3rd place and podium contention by Lap 11. It was all green flag racing to the end and the gap provided by the head start was just too great to overcome. The #77 Rigid Industries Pro 2 settled in for a 3rd place podium finish and another Optima Batteries Fast Lap Award.

“I took my time working through the traffic and finally made it up into 3rd,” Brooks stated. “The leaders were checked out. The track surface was all tore up and the new layout was super tight. I had no real advantage over the 410s with the loose surface and lack of traction. I did all I could do to close the gap, which was to drive fast & smooth and not make any mistakes. The new track layout was tight & technical and had some gnarly ruts, but our Bilstein Shock Absorbers evened it out pretty good. I thought the track update was sick as it separated the field and felt like a moto track! Another podium is good, but we are here to win, so look out for us on top of the box in the final round.”

Jerett Brooks is ranked 2nd in the Pro 2 division trailing by just 5 points. All will be sorted out in the final event for Round 9 of the 2019 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the GEICO Off Road Championship Presented By General Tire on October 26th at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona

Jerett Brooks is supported by: Rigid Industries, Bilstein, General Tire, KMC Wheels, FK Rod Ends, Black Rhino Performance, FiberwerX, Optima Batteries, Kroyer Racing Engines, CBR Performance, Fortin Racing, Caspers Concrete, Howe Performance, Oakley, Maxima Racing Oils & Synergy Electric.

Photography By: Bink Designs