BEST IN THE DESERT LAUGHLIN DESERT CLASSIC

Laughlin has always been a popular hot spot for off-road racing. All you have to do is look at everything this tourist friendly city has to offer. Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas along the Colorado River, you can almost walk to course from the hotels and casinos. The Laughlin Visitors Bureau has been supporting events here for many years.

The Best in The Desert Laughlin Desert Classic kicked off with a UTV night race. Racing at night is always a challenge. For starters, the course is pitch black. You must rely on your GPS and lighting equipment to navigate. . Course obstructions are harder to see. Exactly the challenge Best in The Desert had in mind when adding the night race to the schedule. 102 entries took on that challenge. Phil Blurton lead most of the main race and was looking towards a

victory. On the last lap just before the finish, Blurton sailed off the track, crashing his UTV, breaking an a-arm. The crash would cost Blurton the win. 23-year old Mitch Guthrie would take the win in his Red Bull backed Polaris. Blurton ended up finishing second.

Mother nature threatened to change things up as the other classes started racing Saturday morning. A downpour caused flooding on the course. Racers had to navigate through large mud puddles. Best in the Desert officials were even forced to re-route a section of flooded course for safety.

In the Trick Truck class, Jason Voss took the victory on Day 1. The second day of racing was a different story. As the sun came out and the track dried out, Voss started out front, but was quickly passed by Apdaly Lopez after pulling over to change a tire. Lopez, who normally drives for RPM racing found himself without a ride this season. RPM’s Justin Matney is recovering from surgery and Valley Fever. Lopez inked a deal to drive for Smiley Motorsports. Lopez created a 1-minute lead over the rest of field and was in contention for the win. The truck went down with mechanical issues just before the finish line. Adam Householder took the overall win after finishing in front of the Concrete Motorsports Team. Harley Letner is the star driver for the #70 Concrete Trick-Truck, however driver of record Kevin Thompson was behind the wheel on Day 2. Householder hasn’t had a win in Laughlin in several years. Jason Voss still picked up an overall win in Class 8 and Kyle Craft won overall in the 6100 class.