Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race – Jason Voss Back on Top

At the recent General Tire “Vegas to Reno Offroad Race” presented by FOX , Jason Voss returned to the same form that saw him win the overall victory at the longest offroad race in the United States, three years in a row. Voss took the overall victory in 2013 thru 2015 before Andy McMillin knocked him off the top spot in 2016.

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

The Best in the Desert series, Vegas to Reno Offroad Race is 544 miles of the toughest and most remote terrain found in Northern Nevada. Starting near the mysterious “Area 51”, the course twists and turns as it makes its way North towards Reno. Filled with countless rocks, ruts, and silt, the worst thing competitors had to deal with this year was the thick dust and nearly a total lack of wind. This is where the tough get going when the going gets toughest.

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

After time trials on Wednesday, it was veteran Rob MacCachren who held the fastest time and the number one starting position. Voss qualified 3rd, just behind Bryce Menzies in 2nd. Tim Herbst was 4th, and Kyle Jergensen rounded out the top 5. Adding to the anticipation of race day was the fact that several heavy hitters did not finish their qualifying run. That meant they would start in the very back of the unlimited cars and trucks class. Gustavo Vildosola Jr, who was sharing the driver’s seat with last year’s winner Andy McMillin had their work cut out for them. Clyde Stacy, Steve Olliges, and two of the most aggressive drivers in the sport; Justin Lofton, and Harley Letner would also start from the rear due to unfinished business in qualifications. With a combined field of 53 unlimited cars and trucks entered, many drivers would be looking over their shoulders for the freight train coming up fast from the back.

“There had been a lot of rain that washed away the dirt and exposed many rocks, “said Rob MacCachren, “We suffered a flat tire that put us down a couple positions; we had to change the tire ourselves out in the desert. We had a leaky hub seal in the rear and when we stopped for fuel, it caught on fire. We were bunched up in the pits and got out behind Tim Herbst who stunk up the road ahead of us, (he said with a laugh). It allowed Voss and Matney to put a gap on the rest of us that we couldn’t overcome.” MacCachren ended up in sixth place overall.

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

Nobody has figured out how Voss does it, but driving his Ford F-100 trophy truck he had another flawless day and took his 4th Vegas to Reno overall victory. Matney was second, Menzies finished 3rd and Lofton charged through the field to finish 4th with McMillin/Vildosola 5th overall. The big, unlimited Trick Trucks took the top 11 spots. Class 1500, unlimited open winner Jon Walker was 12th overall. The rest of the class 1500 podium was filled by Sam Berri in second, 14th place overall, and the final spot went to Harley Letner. Letner’s podium finish keeps him out front in the season long, class 1500 points championship. Leading the Trick Truck class is none other than the defending champion, Jason Voss.

Three races remain in the 2017 Best in the Desert Racing Series, the final event of the year scheduled for November 30th – Dec 3rd in Pahrump, Nevada.

Vegas to Reno Offroad Race, Fuel Curve

With over 30 years of experience in all types of motorsports photography, Mike Ingalsbee has been published in over 25 publications and websites in the United States, Europe and Asia. If it burns fuel or throws dirt, chances are Mike has covered it.