Team Red Bull/BOSCH claimed three 2nd place podiums at round 5-6 at CORR in Pomona. The packed field of Pro-2s and Pro-4s were ready for battle on the part dirt part asphalt course at the Pomona Fairplex. The track had only slight changes including a shortened asphalt section since round 1 and 2. The packed field of Pro-2 s were broken into two mains: an (a) main event and an (b) main event.
Ricky Johnson, in the number nine Redbull/BOSCH Pro-2, came right out and attacked the track immediately, finding his lines and qualifying 2nd. Steve had a good run as well, managing to qualify 5th on the tricky dirt and pavement combo track.
Ricky Johnson once again proved that he can out-drive anybody on the track. Starting in the fourth row back on the inside, RJ got caught up in traffic in turn one falling back to eighth position. He methodically moved up to the front pack. In what was some of the most exciting CORR racing this year, RJ battled Macahren, Whelchel, Renezeder, and Leduc, back and forth for position. RJ and Macahren wnet head to head swapping paint, allowing Whelchel to pass. RJ quickly recovered and got around Whelchel as he struck the wall on the final lap. RJ managed to finish a hard fought 2nd place.
Steve Barlow would once again would be the victim of bad luck. Although the inversion worked to his advantage putting him on the inside of the pole, Steve got taken out in turn five of lap one by Rick Huseman. Traffic got tangled in turn five and Huseman drove over the left rear tire of Barlow damaging his shock and ending his chances of a top finish. Barlow limped the truck around the track and back into the hot pit where his crew replaced the shock and sent him back out to finish several laps down.
Both drivers came out and stuck to their lines. Steve managed to qualify 2nd, his best qualifying finish this season. RJ had a bit of trouble with his engine but still managed to qualify 3rd.
In a near repeat of the previous days action, Ricky Johnson battled Macahren, Whelchel, Renezeder, and Leduc from the outset. Starting in the third row back on the inside, RJ first got caught in traffic and fell back, but quickly made his way back up to the front. Once at the front pack, RJ worked his way into third and then managed to pass Whelchel on the final lap moving from third to second.
Steve Barlow started 4 rows back on the inside due to the inversion. By the second lap the course was covered with fiberglass and vehicle parts as the entire field bumped and grinded their way towards the checkered flag. Barlow got into a tangle with Renezeder in the air and nearly rolled coming over the whoops into turn five, but somehow Barlow managed to save it. The mishap dropped him back to the 11th position. Barlow stayed focused and kept moving up, methodically picking off one truck at a time. Barlow had moved up to the eighth position by the competition caution, then he pushed his way through the competition. Ultimately, Barlow blasted pass Scott Douglas and Leduc in the last corner towards the end of the last lap putting him in 2nd place at the finish.
Saturday was frustrating because I got taken out, but we made up for it on Sunday. We are starting to get our rhythm, stated Team Red Bull/BOSCH owner/driver, Steve Barlow.
Ricky Johnson had this to say about the two days of intense racing: I love to battle. This weekends racing is what its all about, fierce competition! Our goal was to be on the podium more than any other team this weekend and we did that. I am happy with the three 2nd place finishes. It keeps us up in the hunt for the points championship. The racing was pretty spectacular, I dont know how we are going to top it, even at Chula Vista.
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