Off Road Racing Series making return to Miller Motorsports Park

TOOELE VALLEY — The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is back at Miller Motorsports Park, and this time the racers have a brand new track to compete on.

After the Lucas Oil races came to Utah last year, MMP general manager John Larson said officials made the decision to construct a permanent, high-speed, off-road track to host the event.

"We have developed a great relationship with Lucas Oil," Larson said in a press release. "Their race last year was so well received and generated such positive feedback that we decided to make the commitment to build them a permanent home at Miller Motorsports Park that can also be used for our other off-road events and activities."

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series consists of 11 classes, all of which will take place this weekend. Rounds seven (today) and eight (Sunday) of the season's 15 rounds will be run this weekend.

Local personality Ron Duncombe will be in the field of the SuperLite class. Duncombe is known as the spokesman for Maverik Country stores, driver of the Maverik Monster Truck and radio host. In his first season of racing in the SuperLite class, Duncombe currently sits in fifth place in the standings, 49 points behind leader R.J. Anderson.

Duncombe, who has nonstop energy, is excited to compete in front of a home crowd.

"It's hard for my family, friends and co-workers to get out to the races from week to week, so it's going to be cool to race on my home track. No pressure, right?" Duncombe said after qualifying Friday. "I just love the charge of sliding trucks in the dirt."

Coming off a season-best fourth-place finish at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernadino, Calif., Duncombe says he feels he has some good momentum going.

"It's exciting to know that you have the speed to stay with these guys," he said. "It's all about confidence."

While Duncombe says the technical parts of racing vary from class to class, but having a love for the sport is what keeps him coming back.

"I have passion for racing, and to be honest, that's why I do it," Duncombe said. "It's some of the coolest stuff out there. If it's shopping carts or snow sleds, as long as I'm racing, I'm in."

Also in Utah this weekend will be Brian Deegan, one of the pioneers of motocross. Deegan, racing in the Pro 2 and Pro Lite classes, is in second place in the season standings in both.