Have you heard the saying: "If I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all?" Well, Johnny is beginning to believe it. The Monster Energy Toyota team of Johnny Greaves has had its share of bad luck already this year, but they do not give up! At a couple days notice, they set out again to the LOORS race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, hoping to bring home some podium finishes before the TORC season gets underway in just a short few weeks.
Friday's qualifying put Johnny and Rick Huseman on the pole. It was looking like it was going to be a 1-2 Monster Toyota blow out, Rick getting out front on the start with Johnny on his rear bumper. This tight battle remained for 4-5 laps. Johnny was working every line trying to make the pass, however, coming into turn 2 he tried an aggressive move and bicycled on two-wheels into the K-rail. His BFGoodrich tires kept him in tact and he was able to get back on the track only losing two positions. The K-rail however cut a brake line, and Johnny was left to race with no brakes. Remarkably, he retains his position for the rest of the race, giving him a 4th place, just short of the podium.
Sunday's race put Greaves and Barlow on the pole. Frustrations have set in, and Johnny really is looking forward to being back in the winners' circle. The plan was to get out front right away and stay out of trouble. The green flagged dropped and Johnny got a clean jump right into the lead. The Tundra ran hard and flawlessly, as he began to make a gap on the rest of the pack. At the caution, it looked as if finally the Greaves team was going to be back on the podium. Unfortunately, after the restart within a lap Johnny could feel something was wrong, and soon thereafter the rear axle failed. Johnny had no choice but to pull off, and again relinquish his win. Talking to Johnny after the race he quoted: "I'm really disappointed. I'm waiting for everything to go right for once, but I'm confident my team is determined to have things right for TORC, so we'll test again before Crandon, and make sure were ready!" Thanks to all the sponsors, especially FOX Shox that helped Johnny and his team get to another LOORS event, when the budget didn't allow it.
CJ Greaves Nicknamed 'Whitey' after Giving-up Win on the Last Lap!
CJ had the perfect opportunity on Saturday to reclaim the win he's been awaiting. Leaving Surprise, AZ with losing both wins on the white flag lap, he has had a lot of time to think about what he would do differently. Qualifying left him on the pole, so he was anticipating a clean start. He got pushed to the outside, but still maintained second behind the leader. They battled for the first half of the race, with CJ waiting for his opportunity. Still in second as the caution came out, Johnny coached him on the radio. Just after the restart, CJ made a sweet inside pass on the leader and captured first place. With the white flag out, and two corners to go, CJ makes a wide turn, leaving room for second place to try a pass, resulting in the two trucks tangling and CJ spinning out. The truck wouldn't restart and CJ sat for quite awhile before he finally made his way across the finish line. CJ "Whitey" Greaves seems to be cursed by the white flag.
Sunday's race didn't prove to be any better for CJ. This time the invert wasn't so kind to him. Starting in the third row, he knew if he was to make it to the front, he would have to move up quickly. The start left him in 6th, but by the second lap he had already worked his way up to third place. Battling with second CJ got a little sideways and inadvertently went off the side of the track. From that point there was a lot of passing and carnage going on. CJ began his push to the front, but only to be set back again. Going into turn-2 alongside Ward, they touched, and the contact sent CJ on his top. Track workers tried to get him turned over, but by the time they did the truck was left with no oil pressure, and CJ had to be towed off. CJ wasn't too discouraged, he loves driving the SuperLite, and isn’t afraid to tell you he's still learning, he was just a little too impatient this time, and still very hungry for a win!
Please visit JohnnyGreaves.com for the latest news of Johnny and Jeremy's off-road racing.
