Elk River, Minn. July 13, 2019 — Elk River, Minnesota and the Twin Cities played host to the 4th Annual ERX Off-Road National–rounds 2 and 3 of the Lucas Oil Midwest Short-Course League. This fast, consistent and highly competitive race track offered some intense racing this past weekend. CJ swept the Pro Stock SxS and landed a 1st and 2nd place in Pro4. Johnny experienced bad luck by getting hit by another racer on Friday but managed a third place finish in spite of dealing with a flat tire in Saturday’s Pro4 race.
PRO STOCK SXS UTV
FRIDAY: CJ Greaves rolled-off 5th in his Monster Energy/Yamaha Racing/Maxxis Tire/Yamalube UTV for the two-by-two rolling start in a field of 23 UTVs. He quickly moved up to 3rd, using the split track to his advantage. CJ battled Waszak and eventually took 2nd ahead of the competition caution. At the same time, CJ’s cousin, Kyle Greaves, moved into the top 5.
On the restart, CJ muscled his way to the lead in the Fox Shox rhythm section and proceeded to open up a 5 or 6 car lead. With 2 laps to go, Kyle Greaves moved into 2nd place. CJ took the checkered flag with cousin Kyle finishing 2nd.
SATURDAY: After the green flag and the shuffling of UTV’s, CJ landed in 2nd place behind Ryan Mulder. But it didn’t take long for CJ to find the route around Mulder. Zak Zakowski was also trying to get around Mulder and the two made contact, spinning Mulder out, breaking his left front wheel, and taking him out of the competition. This also brought out the yellow caution flag.
While flats and broken cars pilled up behind him, CJ began to stretch his lead following the restart that continued until the competition caution.
When racing continued, Kyle Greaves was again making his way into the top 3 as CJ went back to work. He pulled out to an 8 car lead until another full course caution brought out a green/white flag. CJ had no trouble taking the win from there and cousin Kyle landed the 3rd spot on the podium.
PRO 4×4
FRIDAY: Johnny and CJ Greaves had the 2 inside positions as a field of 5 trucks took the rolling start green flag. Andrew Carlson grabbed the early lead but the two Greaves were charging hard towards the front when disaster struck the elder Greaves. Ross Hoek landed hard off one of the jumps, breaking his wheel off, sending him out of control and into the left front wheel of Johnny’s number 22 Monster Energy Toyota, taking him out of the race. Hoek was able to continue after a visit to the hot pits.
Andrew Carlson and CJ were basically the only competitors still going at it for the remainder of the race. As CJ was pressuring Carlson for the lead, Carlson got loose and CJ was unable to get around him without making contact. Carlson spun-out and CJ took the lead which he held to the checkered flag. Carlson recovered and ended up 3rd on the podium.
SATURDAY: Johnny was on a mission to recover from Friday’s crash. Jimmy Henderson, Andrew Carlson and Johnny were battling for the top spot when the 3 trucks took the hairpin turn at the same time. Johnny emerged in front as the three exited the turn and powered ahead to stretch his lead. CJ was being patient, riding in 4th. Carlson was in 2nd place and caught Johnny to begin pressuring him for the top spot.
Disaster struck once again as Johnny’s machine began to slow due to a left rear flat. CJ moved into 2nd as the competition caution flag flew. Johnny ducked into the hot pit to make a quick tire change and rejoined the field still on the lead lap just before the restart.
CJ and Carlson put on a show for the remainder of the race. CJ made several charges to pass Carlson but could not get around him. CJ got a run and almost passed Carlson’s machine in the air on the big jump. Carlson held on to take his first Pro4 win followed by CJ and Johnny, who finished-off a great comeback to land the 3rd place podium.
Bark River Off-Road Rumble is next on the schedule. The Greaves Duo will head to one of their favorite tracks, Bark River, Michigan on August 9-11th.