Casey Currie in Top Form as LOORS Races Under the Lights at Glen Helen

 Casey Currie and the Monster Energy/General Tire team were at the top of their game this past weekend in San Bernardino, Calif., as Rounds 9 and 10 of the 2013 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORS) were raced under the lights at Glen Helen Raceway. Currie’s Monster Energy/General Tire Jeep JK was a force to be reckoned with during both nights of Pro Lite action and ended the weekend with one of his best outings of the season, highlighted by a runner-up effort on Sunday. The performance vaulted Currie back into the Pro Lite title hunt with five rounds of racing remaining.

Due to the special nature of the first of two weekends of night racing this season the format for track time was altered, resulting in a loaded day of action on Friday. Currie began the weekend with practice on Friday morning and set up his truck for the pair of qualifying sessions scheduled for later that afternoon. Friday’s first qualifying session set the grid for Round 9 on Saturday evening and Currie got the weekend off to a strong start by qualifying fourth. Just a few hours later, Currie returned to the track to earn his starting spot for Round 10 on Sunday night, getting even more out of the Jeep JK to post the third-fastest time.
 
With a scheduled start time nearing 9 p.m. locally, Currie spent the day on Saturday and Sunday enjoying some time with his family, friends, and crew members while also preparing to attack the track once the green flag dropped. He and his team ensured the Monster Energy/General Tire Jeep JK was dialed in by making some final tweaks and set off to put on a show for the fans.
 
On Saturday, Currie positioned himself in seventh on the opening lap, but moved into the top five shortly thereafter. He engaged in battle with rivals Brian Deegan and Shel
don Creed for the majority of the race, with the trio swapping positions throughout. The battle was exciting for the fans to watch and equally as exciting for Currie behind the wheel. He eventually got the momentum he needed in the closing laps to take over fourth place on the final lap and cap off a stellar run.
 
“We didn’t get aggressive enough in the beginning and it hurt us in the end,” explained Currie. “Our fourth-place [finish] is good for points, but tomorrow night I will get on it harder in the beginning.”

On Sunday, Currie stayed true to his word and was hard on the gas from the moment the green flag waved. He started inside the top five, but continued to be aggressive during the opening laps to put himself in podium position by Lap 5. For the remainder of the race Currie once again went door-to-door with Deegan, the Pro Lite points leader entering the weekend, and the pair exchanged positions on several occasions, bringing the crowd to its feet. Currie refused to give in to his fellow title contender and took over second place for good with two laps remaining.
 
“I pushed hard early and got into the top three,” said Currie. “We had a crazy battle to the finish and I wish we had a couple more laps [to get to the front]. I am thrilled with how hard the team is working and how great the Jeep is driving. The team has hit its stride and now we need to focus on being this aggressive at every event.”
 
The 4-2 results capped off an impressive weekend for Currie, who is now back into the thick of the battle for the Pro Lite crown. The Monster Energy/General Tire Jeep JK has already become one of the strongest trucks in the field following just four rounds of action and Currie now has considerable momentum heading into the final three weekends of the championship.