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SCOTT DOUGLAS RACES TO TWO MORE PODIUM FINISHES IN CALIFORNIA TRAXXAS TORC ACTION

Perris, California—Just four starts into the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL Scott Douglas has already finished on the podium three times. That top three consistency has Douglas and the AMSOIL Kumho Ford F-150 third in the Pro 4x4 points chase, just 3-points from second and 18-points out of first with twelve races remaining in the sixteen race schedule.

The Perris Auto Speedway short course was tight and technical, demanding precise driver control and finess. Under the lights in Friday night’s round three, Douglas started from the outside of row two and stayed out of the opening lap aggressions to settle into fourth behind Steve Barlow, Curt LeDuc, and pole sitter Johnny Greaves. By lap three Douglas gained the position on LeDuc, charging hard to the front. Holding off aggressive attempts by LeDuc and Adrian Cenni, Douglas passed Steve Barlow on lap nine.

TORC’s mandatory caution on lap eleven bunched the field back up, but Greaves and Douglas were able to maintain the one-two positions and dice all the way to the checkered flag. The Perris race fans were on their feet as these two veteran drivers battled it out. The pair were often inches apart, but Douglas kept it clean and didn’t force the position. Douglas was able to pull along side and ahead of Greaves, but respected the line as they flew the second front straight jump and pitched the trucks into the turn one sweeper. The second place finish on Friday moved Douglas into second in PRO 4x4 points.

TORC inverts the top six by order of points, so Douglas started inside of row three for round 4 on the two truck wide grid. Scott was in good position as the field ran through the infield rhythm section on lap one—then there was contact.

In the tight right-hander that doubles the course back to a tabletop jump, the number 7 AMSOIL Kumho Ford was hit multiple times with the final contact spinning Douglas into the outside concrete retaining wall. A restart was not called and Scott was stopped on the track with the rest of the field pulling away.

Round 4 of PRO 4x4 racing was very hard on equipment, but with the adrenaline flowing, Douglas was able to gather it up, catch the pack and battle to fourth by lap six. At the manditory yellow on lap eleven, Douglas was in third and a three-way battle ensued with Greaves and Huseman to the checkered flag. The strong finish salvaged valuable points for the Douglas Motorsports AMSOIL Kumho team finishing the weekend third in the 2009 TORC PRO 4x4 points chase. Greaves moved back into second by finishing one place ahead of Douglas and gaining two bonus points for leading at the half point.

“I knew we had a very fast truck tonight and I was looking forward to putting the AMSOIL Kumho Ford through its paces for these great California race fans.” stated Douglas after the race. “We took some hard hits on the first lap, but thanks to Crew Chief Bill Smith, Truck Chief Jason Schampers, and the best crew in the business the truck held together. Our truck prep is second to none and even with the obvious damage I was able to run it on the ragged edge and challenge for the lead.”

Rounds 3 & 4 of TORC Series action will air Sunday June 7th on ABC at 5 pm Eastern. Next stop on the 2009 TORC Series schedule is the big house—Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wisconsin on June 20th and 21st.