OFF-ROAD RACING > News > Press Releases Monster Energy Laughlin Desert Challenge Wrap UP

The weekend started out well for the Monster Energy Toyo Tire CK1500 Chevrolet. On Thursday night Robby Gordon won the Laughlin Leap with a jump of 152 feet in front of a full house. Gordon out jumped his nearest competitor by 12 feet to take his first ever victory in the exciting event.

In Friday’s qualifying session Gordon set the second fast time, just a second off the best lap laid down by Riviera Racings Rob MacCachren.

In the Saturday race Gordon got the holeshot and took the early lead. After three laps Gordon was out front by almost a minute when his trophy truck experience trouble with the power steering pump. The Monster Energy team made quick repairs and got the trophy truck back out on the 6-mile loop only to have a transmission failure shortly thereafter.

Late on Saturday the team made necessary repairs to the Chevy CK1500 and had the truck ready to go for the next days event. Sunday morning brought showers to the Laughlin area which wreaked havoc with the course. Perhaps having pushed too hard the day before, Gordon started the day’s event in conserve mode.  As the laps wound down Gordon picked up the pace and moved to the front of the muddy field. The Monster Energy Chevy was engaged in an epic battle for the lead with Carl Renezeder with about two miles to go when the ring and pinion gave way ending the chances for victory.

While the results were less than what the team hoped for, everybody was satisfied with the performance.  Originally the team had not planned on competing in the Laughlin Desert Challenge but the cancellation of the Dakar Rally created the window of opportunity to get back out in the dirt.