Powershift Performance

The Bandit Big Rig Series went back to Elko Speedway Saturday, October 13th for the final race of 2018 and the Awards Ceremony. Weather was cold with snow flurries and just a little accumulation before and after the races. Spectators were bundled up against the cold wind.

Mackvader

In Heat 1 #41 hit the wall twice and then spun into the wall; Marshall Davis did not finish the race, which was won by #55. In Heat 2 the #88 started in pole position and finished 2nd behind #7, Jon Lisenbee. Heat 3 was won by #74, Mark Noble.

In the Shootout #88 was pitted against #55, but #55 ran into the back of #88 and then into the wall. #88 won against #7. #88 was then challenged by #54 who proceeded to bump the #88 and then run into the wall. The #88 won competitions with #51 (who bumped the rear of #88 and spun), #13, and #63, but lost to #73, who in turn lost to #14 (the winner of the Shootout).

Challenge 1 had a five truck pileup in the first lap when #98 got sideways. Only the two lead trucks survived the carnage. Four trucks were able to restart and #3 won the race. Challenge 2 was less eventful. #88 started in 4th and finished in 5th with 74, Mark Noble taking the win.

The A-Main Race started with 18 trucks and had six restarts with repeated crashes. In the first lap #88 went from 10th to 4th before wrecks behind him (#17, #27, & #51, with #27 out for the night) brought about the first caution and restart with #88 going back to 10th place. Then #66 spun hitting #55 and #41, bringing out the caution and the second restart with #88 again in 10th place. Then #51 spun into wall and was done for the night. The third restart had #88 in 8th place. Mackvader moved into 6th and then 5th, before #54 and #46 hooked bumpers and spun together! With the lap 5 fourth restart #88 started in 5th and moved up to 4th before #16 spun and recovered without being hit. During the caution #17 was called to the infield because of leaking fluids. With the fifth restart #88 began in 4th place. One lap in #54 slid back into #66 shoving him hard into the wall; #66 was done for the night. With the sixth and final restart at the race halfway mark the #88 quickly moved from 4th to 3rd place and held that position until the end of the race.

fan favorite trophies

At the Awards Ceremony Mike Morgan received the trophy for Fan Favorite Driver and Mackvader received a trophy for Fan Favorite Truck! Fans have been voting online for many months. Mike and Mackvader took the lead early in the season and held it even though several races were missed.

2018 bandits