Antigo, WI (June 10-11, 2034) — The 2023 Championship Off Road Series is underway with rounds one and two taking place at the Antigo Lions Roaring Raceway in Antigo, Wisconsin. With the off-season prep, rebuilding, and testing complete, the Greaves Duo was all set to take their dirt show to the growing off-road fan base. The tight, technical track at Antigo was a great place to kick-off the season. Unfortunately, during a practice run, Johnny hit a rut that sent him barrel rolling and ending up flipping over the K-rail with about a 35-foot drop to the ground! After a short stay in the hospital, he is recovering at home. As a result, John’s nephew/CJ’s cousin, Kyle Greaves had the opportunity to jump in the seat of the legend to keep the number 22 Monster Energy/Toyota/Toyo Tire/Pro-4 rolling. With only a quick ride around, Kyle got his on-the-job training in the Saturday race.
CJ Greaves picked-up where he left off in 2022 by starting the season with multiple wins–taking 5 out of the six races. First in both of the Pro Turbo SXS races and the Pro-4 races. He won the Saturday Pro Stock SXS and lead on Sunday all the way to less than 2 minutes left in the race but developed mechanical problems. He kept rolling and finished 13th.
Pro Stock SXS
Saturday: In Saturday’s Pro Stock SXS, CJ started on row 4 of the 21 car field. When the green flag flew, CJ went to work, making his way to the front before the end of the first lap. He checked out to a 5-second lead up to the competition caution. He lead the field to the green flag but carnage ensued behind him in turn one involving 6 or 7 racers, bringing out the caution flag. On the restart, CJ jumped out to another comfortable lead to take his first win of the season.
Sunday: With 19 side-by-sides on the grid for round 2, CJ Greaves started on the 4th row once again and once again he took the lead before turn two. He proceeded to open up a 5-second gap between his Polaris and the rest of the field. He continued to hold a commanding lead but with less than 2-second, a mechanical issue took him off-pace. He kept rolling and finished 13th. This allowed him to end the Pro Stock opening weekend standings in first place.
Pro Turbo SXS
Saturday: CJ started on the front row of Saturday’s turbo side-by-side action. He lead the 17 car field to the green flag and checked out. Greaves demonstrated how to run a smooth race–going slow when he needed to, and fast the rest of the time. At the competition caution, the nearest competitor was a couple seconds back. On the restart, Robert Loire got a good jump and made a charge for the lead. However, CJ was strong, taking the outside line of turn one to hold on to the lead. He steadily pulled away to take the win.
Sunday: In Sunday’s race, Andrew Carlson took the early lead. About midway through the second lap, CJ Greaves took his Polaris RZR/Toyo Tire to the front. After the competition caution, the field began to spread-out with Chaney his closest competitor. He kept him at a safe distance and once again pulled away for a dominant performance to sweep the turbo class for the weekend.
Pro 4
Saturday: In a rare occurrence, the Pro-4 class was missing the legend, Johnny Greaves. But the number 22 was still on the track with his nephew Kyle Greaves filling in for Johnny, who was injured in a rollover during practice on Friday. Also missing was Kyle LeDuc, who is sitting out due to health issues. CJ Greaves started 2nd and Kyle Greaves started on the back row of the 6-truck field. Cole Mamer took the lead momentarily but over rotated, breaking his frontend in the process and had to drop out of the race. After competition caution CJ collected his bonus points and lead the 4 remaining trucks to the second half of the race. Adrian Cenni took the lead on the restart. CJ and Cenni exchanged leads a couple of times until the last minute of the race. CJ took his Monster Energy/Toyota/Toyo Tires machine to the lead for good and ended the race almost 2-seconds ahead of Cenni. Kyle brought the number 22 to the line in 3rd once again.
Sunday: Pro-4 action was basically a repeat of Sunday’s races. CJ Greaves and Adrian Cenni started on the front row. Cenni grabbed the holeshot but spun-out in turn one. CJ took over the lead with Cole Mamer applying some pressure. The two went side-by-side and Mamer was able to take the lead. With his right front fiberglass flapping, he held the lead until Henderson, who was right behind CJ at the time, hit a hole and did a hard flip which brought out a red flag. When racing resumed there were 5-trucks remaining. Mamer continued to lead but Greaves Toyota was right on his bumper. Mamer broke his left front wheel assembly that took him out of the race and brought out the yellow flag. Kyle Chaney took the lead on the restart and with less than 4 minutes to go in the race, CJ regained the lead which he took to the checkered flag. Kyle Greaves was looking more comfortable in Johnny’s truck with every lap and ended the race in 3rd.
THANK YOU FANS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THIS WEEKEND AND PRAYERS FOR JOHNNY!
See you all at Crandon June 24-25 at the Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run.