Lena, WI (July. 25-26) — The Greaves Duo made the short trip up to Lena, Wisconsin for the Dirt City Off-Road Nationals, rounds 9 and 10 of Champ Off-Road Series. CJ held a narrow lead in Pro-4 and hoping to continue to improve his side-by-side program. Johnny Greaves was looking for a strong showing too. CJ ended the weekend claiming 5 podiums including wins in every class he was in. He also held on to his points lead in Pro-4 and jumped into 2nd in Pro SXS. Johnny is staying strong in the top 5 in Pro-4.
Pro Stock SXS
Saturday – CJ started on the front row for his first race of the weekend. He held on to 2nd through the early laps with Brody Sands leading the way. Sands, CJ Greaves, David Gay, and Jeb Bootle, all Polaris RZRs, made up the top 4 at the competition Caution.
On the restart, Bootle moved up to 3rd and began to battle with CJ for the 2nd spot. CJ was able to hold off both Bootle and Kirchmeier as the laps dwindled down. With less than 2 minutes remaining in the race, Bootle hit a hole and rolled his machine bringing out a full course caution. He was able to continue after the track crew righted his Polaris with only 2 laps to go. On the final lap CJ was pushing his Monster Energy Polaris to the limit and after a mistake by Brody Sands, took the lead to claim his season first Pro Stock SXS win in dramatic fashion.
Sunday – CJ’s Monster Energy Polaris started on the front row again with David Gay beside him. Gay took the early lead with points leader, Cross Kirchmeier doing his best to get around CJ for 2nd which he was eventually able to accomplish. Kirchmeier and Gay battled up front, making contact several time. CJ was in the mix too as the red/yellow flag flew for the competition caution.
On the restart, Collin Truett got a good start and passed CJ however on the final lap, CJ reclaimed the 3rd spot on the podium.
Pro SXS
Saturday – CJ rolled off his Polaris RZR from the 3rd row in Saturday’s ProSXS race beside the top qualifier, Jeb Bootle, also in a RZR. Early in the race, CJ lost his front differential which caused him to spin out and the entire field passed him before he could get back in the race. He had to run the remained of the race with 2-wheel drive. In spite of that, from the back of the field he began to work his way back forward. After the competition caution, he was able to move up several spots on the restart. With about a minute to go in the race, he had moved up to 6th saving valuable points.
Sunday – CJ started deeper in the field on row 4 beside the Polaris of Jeb Bootle who was the top qualifier. When racing began, CJ went to work on Brody Sands. Meanwhile, Cash Lecroy had a flat while running in 3rd place.
Following the competition caution, CJ went on the attack to challenge Kolton Krajicek for 2nd. With less than 3 minutes to go in the race, CJ made a great inside move on Kolton to claim 2nd and in hot pursuit of the front runner Jeb Bootle. CJ and Bootle battled hard, going side-by-side at times on the final lap. CJ had already setup his plan to make his move in turn 3 where he had successfully passed Krajicek earlier. He ducked inside of Bootle who had swung wide leaving the door open for CJ to take the position. CJ went on to take the win followed by Bootle and Krajicek for a Polaris RZR sweep.
Pro-4
Saturday – CJ started on the front and Johnny started on the back of the field for Saturday’s final race. When the green flag flew, the 900 HP 4-wheel drive trucks attacked the freshly watered track. CJ went a little wide in turn 1 which allowd several trucks to pass. CJ and Johnny were running 4th and 5th when Thomas developed a flat. Meanwhile, Adrian Cenni, took his first of several spin-outs. This allowed Henderson to take the lead and CJ and Johnny were in 3rd and 4th at the halfway point of the race.
Cenni was some how able to stay in 2nd. On the restart, CJ went to work on Cenni who would eventually have another issue that allowed both CJ and Johnny to move up a spot into 2nd and 3rd. With all the mayhem, Jimmy Henderson pulled away to a big lead with only 2 laps remaining, CJ was pushing hard to catch up to the front runner but he ran out of time. The race ended with Henderson taking the win, followed by CJ in 2nd and Johnny in 3rd with a tire going down. The points standings tightened which meant Sunday’s race would determine who would be the leader at the end of the weekend.
Sunday – CJ Greaves’ Toyo tire clad Monster Energy Toyota started on row 2 and Johnny row 3 in Sunday’s final race of the weekend. Top qualifier, Mickey Thomas, and Jimmy Henderson started on the front row. Johnny had bad luck on the first lap with a flat tire. He pulled into the hot pits for a tire change but was not able to beat the field and went a lap down. CJ was riding behind “The Wild Man” Adrian Cenni when Cenni spun out in to turn. CJ had to check up to avoid a collision.
Henderson and Thomas were exchanging licks up front and Cenni spun-out once again. Henderson hit one of the tractor tire barriers that sheared off his right front wheel taking him out of the race. Thomas was still in the lead at the competition caution and CJ was in 3rd behind rookie driver, Andrew Pate, with less than 4 minutes to go. The remaining cars were nose to tail on the restart setting up a dramatic finish. With less than 2 minutes to go, Thomas stalled his truck, CJ took the lead having already passed Pate for 2nd. There was no pressure on CJ as he finished the race to take his 3rd win of the season. Johnny finished a lap down but in 4th place.
