Wheatland, MO (May 3-4, 2025)–The Championship Off Road Series kicked-off the 2025 racing season at Lucas Oil track in Wheatland, Missouri, this past weekend. This was the first time the series utilized this highly technical track that features an over/under section, table-top jumps, rhythm section, “Talladega” turns, and hairpin corners. The Greaves Duo fielded their same lineup of race cars with CJ CJ Greaves in the Pro Stock SXS, Pro Turbo SXS, and Pro-4. He would be defending championships in all three classes. Johnny would once again mount his number 22 Monster Energy Pro 4, and continue his off-road racing Hall of Fame carrier. Friday night rains made for uncertain racing conditions on Saturday which prompted the need for “guesswork” on race setup. CJ completed the weekend with 6 podiums including wins in Pro Stock SXS, Pro SXS, and Pro-4. Johnny also podiumed, landing a 3rd place after recovering from an early race flip.
Pro Stock SXS
SATURDAY: CJ Greaves, sporting a new color scheme on his Polaris RZR, was first to test the highly technical Lucas Oil track in the Pro Stock SXS class. He started from the 2nd row and landed in 3rd behind Cross Kirchmeier and Owen VanEperen. By lap 2, the field had spread out and racing staid fairly calm until the mandatory caution at the halfway point.
On the restart, Kirchmeier began to pressure VanEperen with CJ lurking behind them waiting for one of them to make a mistake. The top 3 cars pulled away to a big gap between them and the rest of the field. CJ was searching for the line that would take him past the leaders. As the laps wound down to the white flag, CJ took to the inside of Kirchmeier and the two went side by side over the tabletop jump. CJ landed clean and was setup for the inside position at the turn. He made the pass which he held to the checkered flag, taking his first podium of the season with a 2nd place finish behind Owen VanEperen.
SUNDAY: There were much better racing conditions on Sunday with beautiful sunny day. CJ started on the 2nd row once again but waisted no time pressing for the lead. Owen had the early lead, but CJ powered ahead of him after only a few turns. The two went side-by-side off the jump and CJ had the inside position to take the lead. The field spread out and settled as everyone anticipated the red/yellow flag at the mid-point of the race. Like Saturday’s race, the top 3 checked out from the field with CJ leading the way. With 3 minutes to go in the race, Greaves made a great save as his Polaris caught a rut and biked in one of the turns. By the time the white flag flew, CJ had and 1.5 second lead to take his first Pro Stock SXS win of the year.
Pro Turbo SXS
SATURDAY: Defending class champ, CJ Greaves, was the top qualifier for the opening round of the Pro SXS class. Owen VanEperen took the lead but CJ squeezed by him momentarily as the two battled for position on the first lap. Owen was able to hold on to the lead and CJ settled into the 2nd position as he surveyed the track, strategizing for the second half of the race. The top two cars pulled away to a 4 second spread before the end of the first half of the race.
On the restart, Rodney VanEperen, now in the mix, made an inside move on CJ. But CJ was too strong and pulled away, still in second but close to the front running machine of Owen. Owen’s lead would not last as he broke his right front wheel. He hung on and continued for a while but CJ passed for the lead along with Carlson and Wolfe. CJ held on to take his 189th win.
SUNDAY: 18 side-by-sides lined up for Sunday’s round two race. CJ Greaves started 3rd but wasted no time going to the front while several of the top contenders spun out behind him. However, the track was still slick and giving all the drivers a hard time. CJ was being cautious as he searched for a good line while the track dried. Meanwhile, Jeb Bootle took the lead from CJ. His lead did not last long as he pulled off the track with mechanical problems, handing the lead back to CJ. Greaves, Bootle, and Anderson were the top three as the field took the mandatory caution.
On the restart, CJ powered his Polaris forward to hold the lead. Rodney VanEperen emerged in second with his son, Owen, right with him. Owen would eventually make the pass into 2nd. CJ was stretching his lead while the two VanEperen’s battled behind him. He took his lead to the checkered flag for another win.
Pro 4
SATURDAY: A fired up field of hungry Pro-4 drivers were ready to do battle like a pack of bears waking up from a winter of hibernation. When the green flag few, the fenders began to fall off early. CJ started on the front row and wrestled with Henderson. CJ backed off and settled for 4th in front of the elder Greaves running in 5th. Johnny went off-track momentarily with a issue but was able to continue with a lot of time to makeup before the red/yellow flag flew at the halfway point.
When racing resumed, CJ went after the 3rd place running Mickey Thomas. Thomas almost spunout causing CJ to have to check-up. He would eventually take the position. Johnny moved up from 8th all the way to the 4th spot with less than 3 minutes left in the race. CJ edged closer to the top two but ran out of time and settled for 3rd. Johnny ended up in 5th.
SUNDAY: CJ Greaves and Cole Mamer started on the front row for Sunday’s racing action in the final race of the weekend. Johnny started on row 3. The Greaves Duo had their Monster Energy / Toyo Tire / Vision Wheel / Toyota’s nose to tail and running in 3rd and 4th before the field had to stop for track crews to remove the flipped truck of Adrian Cennie, AKA The Wild Man, off the track.
Johnny flipped his machine but fortunately was able to continue with fiberglass barely hanging on his machine. At the halfway point, CJ was in 5th and Johnny was back in 7th.
The second half of the race never disappoints, chock-full of crazy racing action. The running order as the green flag flew was Mamer, Anderson, Wolff, Thomas, CJ Greaves, Henderson, and Johnny Greaves. Thomas spun-out moving CJ to battle Wolff who he is able to pass after a short skirmish although Wolff would regain the advantage on CJ later. RJ Anderson, who was in the lead at the time, developed a race ending flat that began to shred as Wolff and CJ him to race for the checkered flag. Johnny also moved up to 3rd. With a few laps remaining, CJ took advantage of Wolff’s slight mistake and made the pass for the lead. He stretched his lead and won the race with Wolff coming in 2nd and Johnny Greaves finishing out the podium in 3rd.
Next race is in Antigo, WI on June 6-8th.