Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/873209
52 | Overdrive | September 2017 Custom Rigs T he Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series is eight races into its inaugural 13-race season, and series officials say it has garnered more interest in its first year than they ever imagined. Nearly every Bandit race has been a sellout, and some tracks have had their best attendance in years when the truck racers are in town, says Brian Madsen, Bandit Series director of operations. "We're really amazed at how quickly the series took off this year," Madsen says. "Our fan base continues to grow, and attendance has been great all year." The series already has announced it will be back for its second season in 2018. While Madsen isn't ready to name any tracks specifically, he says the series will expand its footprint and field. "It's looking like we might have enough tracks on board that we're only going to be able to hit each one once," he says. "We're planning to get more races in the Midwest, and we have a couple possibilities in the Northeast." There are still five races remaining in the inaugural season, and the champi- onship points race is still up for grabs. Ricky "Rude" Proffitt has held onto his lead in the standings, despite not having a win since May. "88 Mike" Morgan sits in second place, followed closely by Tommy Boileau, who has won the last two races. Justin Ball, who only has one finish outside the top four all season, is still within striking distance in fourth place. Boileau earned his second consecutive win and second overall July 28 at Madi- son International Speedway in Wiscon- sin. His first came two weeks prior at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Iowa. The top three points leaders ap- peared to be in position to battle for the final 10 laps before Morgan and Proffitt collided in a turn, sending both trucks into the outside wall and ending their nights with eight laps to go. Due to the top two points leaders not finishing, Boileau's win closed the points gap. He trails Morgan by 47 points and Proffitt by 105. The Aug. 5 race at I-44 Lebanon Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri, was rained out, and that race was resched- uled for Sept. 2. The move to Labor Day weekend forced the series to move the previously scheduled race at Flor- ence Motor Speedway in Timmons- ville, South Carolina, to a date that was undetermined at press time. The Bandits also will return to High- land Rim Speedway in Greenbrier, Tennessee, on Sept. 23 and to Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, North Carolina, on Oct. 14 before the season's final race at Crisp Motorsports Park in Cordele, Georgia on Oct. 28. Bandit racing series exceeding expectations in first season 2018 season already confirmed BY MATT COLE Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series points leaders Ricky "Rude" Proffitt (No. 14) and "88 Mike" Morgan collided at the series' most recent race at Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin. Tyler Kruckerburg's No. 54 Volvo also was caught in the crash. Tommy Boileau won his second consecutive Bandit race July 28 in Wisconsin. The remaining races will be held Sept. 23 in Tennessee, Oct. 14 in North Carolina and Oct. 28 in Georgia. Photo by Chris Seelman Photography