Cody Miller Wins SXS Pro Class and Austin Braden Wins SXS Sportsman Class
DECATUR, Texas, (April 2, 2023) – The Texas countryside blanketed in spring time bluebonnets and temperatures still mild enough for all day outside fun made for pristine race conditions at the inaugural Red Bull Ranch Scramble. Oak Hill Raceway played host to more than 45 professional and recreational SXS (side-by-side) drivers who christened the newly updated 1.8-mile short-course track filled with hairpin turns, a whoops section, and added jumps. The track, described as one of the fastest in the Red Bull Scramble Series, pushed drivers’ skills to the max, showcasing a barrage of talent from both professional and recreational drivers alike.
The two race classes, a SXS Pro class for experienced drivers and a Sportsman class for amateur off-road enthusiasts, were stacked with fierce competition and driving excellency. As example, professionals like Corbin Leaverton and Cody Bradbury who took the Red Bull Sand Scramble Pro Class 1-2 finish in December made their return to the Red Bull Scramble Series in Texas; the duo finished fifth and third respectively.
This short-course track offered drivers unique challenges with sharp edges and extreme hills but allowed for close wheel-to-wheel racing keeping the competition tight. Qualifiers took place in the morning to set the field for the final heat in the afternoon that saw racers complete seven laps in both classes. In the end, it was Texas-native Cody Miller who claimed victory in the SXS Pro category with a total race time of 15:22.697, less than one second ahead of his brother and second-place finisher Hunter Miller. It was in the final turn of the last lap that Cody edged out his brother Hunter to take first place and seal the victory. In the SXS Sportsman class, Austin Braden finished first with a total race time of 16:17.960 also in exciting fashion just a half-second ahead of the second-place finisher Mickey Schroeder.
With not a cloud in the sky and minimal wind conditions minimal, SXS racing was in all its glory for a day filled with action-packed off-road racing. The spectators also brought the energy and kept the drivers spirits high throughout the day.
TOP FINISHERS:
SXS PRO CLASS
- Cody Miller – 15:22.697
- Hunter Miller – 15:23.472
- Cody Bradbury – 15:36.284
SXS SPORTSMAN CLASS
- Austin Braden – 16:17.960
- Mickey Schroeder – 16:18.423
- Jordan Colichia – 16:30.041
“I was sitting there in second place, and I was concentrating on the mental game – figuring out where I was going to make my move and execute. Hunter and I battle back and forth and work together as a team sometimes, but in the end we just really want to beat each other,” said Cody.
“It was an amazing day, the track is awesome, and running seven laps on that track was just plain fun. Thank you to Red Bull and Oak Hill for putting this on today,” said Braden.
RED BULL ATHLETE QUOTES
The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team Seth Quintero, AJ Jones and Mitch Guthrie along with Red Bull drivers Mia Chapman and Andrew Carlson were amongst those in the race field.
“I started off the day by losing a rim but made it up for the main event and started third row and had a great time. There were a lot of back and forth battles with AJ which was fun – I’m hoping to come back to Texas next year!” – Mia Chapman
“It was my first time racing short course, it was tough but really fun. It was quite the learning curve for me, coming from the dessert, but it was fun to learn something new. The best moment of today was the battle against Mia in the last race. I had a great time and want to do it again!” -AJ Jones
“I haven’t raced short course in a very long time, going door to door with everyone was fun! Every time I come to Texas, all the racers are so rad and it’s always a good time.” – Seth Quintero
RED BULL SCRAMBLE SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Red Bull Ranch Scramble was the third stop in the Red Bull Scramble Series National Championship. As a result, racer John Barnes moved into P2 in the Pro Class Overall leaderboard after racing this weekend and sits just 16 points behind the leader, Johnny Greaves. Austin Braden’s quest to victory in Decatur catapulted him into third place in the Sportsman Class Overall, bumping former P3 holder TJ Kounkel. You can find the full Red Bull Scramble Series Leaderboard by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us- en/event-series/scramble-series/series-scoring.
The remaining 2023 schedule features six unique locations:
- May 6, Red Bull Beach Scramble in Wildwood, N.J. (NEW)
- May 20, Red Bull High Desert Scramble in Nephi, Utah
- June 24, Red Bull Solstice Scramble in Anchorage, Ala. (NEW)
- Sept. 16, Red Bull Stone Scramble in Huntsville, Tenn.
- Dec. 9, Red Bull Sand Scramble in Glamis, Calif.
The series is proudly supported by BFGoodrich Tires, Can-Am, KMC Wheels and Wolverine Boots.
Red Bull Scramble Series National Championship
The Red Bull Scramble Series National Championship is separated into two classes: the Pro Class for more experienced racers and the Sportsman Class for amateur off-road enthusiasts. While no single race is the same, both classes will follow the same points structure per race and will abide by the same tiebreaker (as required) for the season. A third Championship, dubbed the Iron Man Championship, is determined by its own point system, and celebrates one driver across both classes who competes in and finishes the most races throughout the season. The Pro Class and Sportsman Class National Scramble Series Championship is determined by the best four finishes and best three finishes each driver achieves throughout the season, respectively. To learn more about the ranking system, visit https://www.redbull.com/us-en/event-series/scramble-series/series-rules-and-prizing.
