There are races. Then there is Crandon. The Big House in Crandon, Wisconsin is one of the most iconic venues in off-road racing, a place where legends are made and legacies are built. Loren Healy knows this track better than most. Coming into this weekend he had claimed four World Championship wins and five Rage on the Rocks victories at Crandon, making him one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the venue. This past Labor Day weekend, representing the RTR Vehicles Off-Road team in his Ford Bronco Raptor 4400, Loren did not just add to that legacy. He swept the entire weekend.
Qualifying
The weekend kicked off with two practice sessions before Loren and the team took a breath on Friday morning, joining the annual Crandon parade before returning to the track that evening for Ultra4 4400 class qualifying. Under the lights on the short course, Loren put his Bronco Raptor 4400 to work and clocked the second fastest time of the night, earning an upfront starting position heading into the first of two races. With the UltraCross and the Crandon 4400 World Championship results set to be combined for the overall class winner, every position and every second was going to matter.
Race 1: Rage on the Rocks
Loren launched from P2 with a straightforward mission. Run clean, be out front when the checkered flag drops, and execute. He did exactly that. Running in second, Loren capitalized when the race leader suffered a flat tire and took over the lead without hesitation. From there he put distance between himself and the rest of the field and never looked back, taking the win in commanding fashion. The victory also locked in pole position for Sunday's World Championship race, setting up the perfect scenario heading into the finale.
Six Rage on the Rocks wins at Crandon. The record grows.
Race 2: Crandon 4400 World Championship
From pole position on Sunday, Loren left nothing to chance. He took the green flag, won the holeshot immediately, and checked out. By the time the checkered flag waved, Loren had put more than ten seconds between himself and the rest of the field in another dominant performance by the RTR Vehicles Off-Road team at this venue.
Five World Championship wins at Crandon International Raceway. The sweep was complete.
The Record Books
When you add it all up, Loren Healy now stands at eleven total wins at Crandon International Raceway. Six Rage on the Rocks victories. Five World Championship wins. And this year the Bronco Raptor 4400 was the one to carry him to eleven. The Big House has been good to Loren, and Loren has been very good to it.
