I was born in the midwest and moved to the west coast as an early teen so I have a bit of a unique perspective on the importance of off-road racing in the midwest. I can’t overstate how valuable it is for off-road culture to have a stronghold like “The Big House” in the midwest. It directly connects the west coast to off-road culture to the midwest. It is by far the most important short course race, as well as one of the four most important off-road races in North America alongside The Baja 1000, King of The Hammers and The Mint 400.
When Crandon started over 50 years ago, there was just off-road racing. It wasn’t separated into class or type – it was simply just “run what you brung” and go for it. Fast forward to today and there is no denying that watching the field of Pro-2’s and Pro-4’s battle through turn one is one of the wildest spectacles in motorsports. The current state of short course racing at Crandon is nothing short of spectacular. It’s as if you had twenty-five MMA fighters in one cage battling it out with engines strapped to their backs!
For the second time in history, UTV’s will take to a shortened version of the track in front of over 60 thousand spectators. Outside of the UTV World Championship, this is the largest gathering of UTV’s on one track. The UTV class embodies the true spirit of Crandon. The idea that the everyday man can show up with his affordable race vehicle and win, thus becoming the hero for the weekend. In the UTV class, anything is possible. It’s affordable, it’s exciting, and anybody can take it!
Last year the field was stacked with over 30 entries. Standouts included RJ Anderson, Ronnie Anderson, CJ and Johnny Greaves, Rodney Van Eperen, Jason Luburgh. Myles Cheek, and Kyle Chaney to name a few.
Rodney Van Eperen and Jason Luburgh took the wins last year but there has been a lot of evolution in racer sand vehicles in the last year. It’s anybody’s battle to win.
Check back for a full race report on all the racing action from Crandon International Speedway!
CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE & PHOTOS FROM 2017:
