<< News & Headline Main

Monster Energy Toyota Potawatomi Team of Greaves-McGrath Show Speed in Crandon at TORC Series’ Midwest Debut in Rounds 5 and 6

Crandon, WI (June 23, 2009)-The Monster Energy Toyota team of Johnny Greaves and Jeremy McGrath rolled into the famous Crandon International Raceway to greet over 24,000 fans for the traditional "Brush Run" hosted by Forest County Potawatomi. While Greaves and McGrath struggled with some mechanical failures and race contact damage, both Jeremy McGrath and Johnny Greaves left on Sunday feeling as if they may have figured out some things about their set-up that will propel them back to the top for the rest of the year. Greaves salvaged a 4th place finish in round 5 on Saturday while McGrath had a cut tire as he was positioned for a win but was still able to pull-off a 4th place finish and tied for 3rd in the points. Round 6 was even tougher for both-Greaves broke had a ring and pinion and McGrath had engine failure.

"It was great to be back on a big track here in Crandon and see how our Toyota's were going to need to be set-up for the 'Midwest Swing'," stated Greaves. Rain kept us from doing as much testing and it really would have helped us. All in all though we just had some mechanical issues or we would have stayed on the podium. We feel we are going to run strong from here on out and discovered a few things that are going to pay off down the road."

In Saturday's round 5, Greaves got off to a 5th place start and quickly started his move to the top in lap one. He quickly moved into 4th and was charging hard to the front when he had a front-end failure and was loosing traction. He held on to finish 4th and gain valuable points for the title chase. On Sunday in Round 6, Greaves again battled hard through the start and looked as if he had the speed to win, when he had a ring and pinion failure that put him out of contention for the win.

Jeremy McGrath had a solid weekend of racing, but again was denied the podium due to mechanical failure that plagued the Monster Energy team all weekend. In round 5 on Saturday, McGrath drove a solid race and was battling for the lead with Scott Taylor when he developed a flat rear tire from heavy contact with Vanden Heuvel on the back turn. His tire was cut deep and flat but McGrath held on for an impressive 4th place and tied for 3rd in the points. On Sunday, in round 6, McGrath was again charging hard for the lead when he blew the engine on lap 5 and had to watch from the in-field. He only dropped a couple of positions to 5th in the points.

In the Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup race, Greaves made some significant changes to the set-up and came out charging early on in lap one. After a 5th place start, Greaves had already passed the Pro 4X4's and was making his move to the Pro 2's by the gravel-pit turn. Greaves was once again disappointed as he lost steering from a broken steering belt, forcing him to pullout.

"Overall, John was disappointed of course, but he did find the set-up he was looking for by the end of the weekend," stated Jeremy McGrath. "He has that look in his eyes that he knows he is on the right track for the rest of the season, so don't underestimate Mr. Greaves. My truck is running great and I feel I would have gotten a win this weekend if it weren't for getting hit so hard and giving me that flat. I've learned in racing to be patient and keep working and it will work out in the end."