Day two of the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

By Mike Smith (contact)

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 | 7:37 p.m.

Trophy-Truck driver Andy McMillin, who won on Saturday, took the checkered flag on Sunday and finished first overall at the season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. McMillin’s combined total time from the two days of racing was 2 hours, 2 minutes and 03 seconds.

Kory Scheeler of Las Vegas finished second and Nick Vanderwey of Phoenix finished third.

I was able to view Sunday’s race from the infield where members of the media are allowed to stand as close to the action as they can stomach. The trucks looked as if they were on the edge of losing control as they blazed through the corners. I almost felt like ducking a number of times when the trucks kicked up huge dirt rooster tails as they accelerated out of the turns.

What impressed me the most was how fast these drivers entered the corners. And out of all of the drivers I witness today, Robby Gordon drove his Trophy-Truck with an aggressiveness that was a step above the other drivers. The speeds at which he attacked the turns were noticeably faster than any other driver in the Trophy-Truck class.

Nevertheless, Gordon finished sixth in class and had a DNF overall due to the fact that his truck, which was driven by Steve Kendall on Saturday, only finished seven of eight laps in the required time limit for Saturday’s race. Gordon’s Chevy also broke two wheels during today’s race.

Equally as impressive as Gordon’s aggressive driving style was that fact that he raced today after having traveled all the way from Argentina where he competed in the Dakar Rally.

Here are some videos and a few photos from today’s event.

You can see all results here.

Gordon's truck in the pits prior to the race

Race winner Andy McMillin

Race winner Andy McMillin

Gordon signs a few autographs after the race

Trophy-Trucks lined up at the finish line

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