Bryce Menzies & Ricky Johnson both win at Bark River!!
Posted on Friday, August 17, 2012
Over 6,000 screaming fans left standing room only at TORC rounds 9 & 10 to cheer for their favorite drivers this weekend in Bark River. The weekend was jam packed with action both on and off the track. Drivers got their first look at the track on Friday for practice where both Redbull/Menzies Motorsports drivers recorded the fastest laps. After watching practice, the fans knew they were in for a weekend full of heart stopping racing.
Bryce Menzies (PRO 2) and Ricky Johnson (PRO 4) start out the weekend strong in Bark River, MI with wins for Redbull/Menzies Motorsports on August 11, 2012. Bryce came to Bark River with one thing on his mind, get back on top of the podium. Menzies recorded the fastest lap of the day on Saturday (Aug. 11) to capture his 4th Oakley Bomb award of the season.
Menzies lined up on the outside of the front row for the 11-lap PRO 2 race, and challenged polesitter Jeff Kincaid for the lead for the early laps in the race. Menzies took the top spot onthe sixth lap, just before the mandatory competition caution came out. Menzies came off the line for a strong restart and would lead the final six laps giving way to his third win of the season.Menzies stayed focused on his goal, getting on top of the podium. “It was a great run today,” said Menzies while standing on the podium Saturday (Aug. 11th). “After I got out front it was easier to see without the heavy roost in Bark River the whole race,” explains Menzies.
Menzies started Sunday’s race in 6th position, which left him in the middle of the pack. Afterattempting to grab a tear-off caused him to drive off course where he found himself in last. Menzies fought through adversity and finished the race in 4th position. This marks the 6th time this season that Menzies has placed in the top 5 in the PRO 2 class. Giving him a strong push in points going into the last 4 rounds of the season. Menzies is now only 6 points behind leader RobMacChachren going into the final 2 stops of the season, Crandon and Antelope Valley.
It was a fantastic weekend for Red Bull father/son duo in Bark River with Ricky Johnson’s son Luke dominating in the ProLite class, while Ricky fought hard to catch the speedy Johnny Greeves who broke with a few laps left to finish atop the podium on Saturday. During Ricky’s post-race interview he said “Whatever the date is, I should change my birthday to it. Johnny (Greaves) had usall covered and I feel bad for him and the bad luck he is having this year. I couldn’t be more proud of my son Luke for winning today. It means so much to me, because I know how bad he wanted to win and how hard he’s been working. His win means way more than my win today.” RJ came back strong on Sunday and fought through 2 flat tires to finish 3rd. “This is a team sport,” said Johnson “Thanks to our team we were able to get back out on the track and on the podium”. RJ is leading points in PRO 4 and hopes to continue that trend at Crandon for TORC rounds 11 & 12.
Things are sure to heat up with only 2 remaining stops this season. “Crandon on Labor Day is the absolute pinnacle of short-course racing in the U.S, and AMSOIL is proud to be a big part of the festivities with the AMSOIL Cup race – which this year boasts a $40,000 winner’s purse to make it one of the richest short-course races of all-time,” said AMSOIL Race Program Manager Jeremy Meyer. This season has been full throttle the entire way; look out Crandon, Team Redbull/Menziesmotorsports is coming in hot!