PAHRUMP NUGGET “250” PRESENTED BY POLARIS RZR MARKS A GOLDEN FINALE FOR BEST IN THE DESERT’S 2018 SEASON

Best In The Desert, the largest off-road race series in North America, just wrapped up another amazing year of off-road desert racing with the season ending running of the Pahrump Nugget “250” presented by Polaris RZR. The week started Wednesday, November 28th with Justin Lofton winning Time Trials and the “Team Ford Pole Award”. Thursday saw a huge group of race teams gather for the race’s Pre-fun Run. It seemed like the whole community of Pahrump, Nevada turned out to take in the sites, sounds and festivities of tech inspection and contingency at the Vendor Exhibit held in the parking lot of the Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Gambling Hall.

The race kicked off Saturday morning with147 Car, Truck and UTV race teams taking the green flag and a final chance to lock down 2018 Best In The Desert Class Championships. Striking gold and the overall win was the Trick Truck team of Kevin Thompson and Harley Letner. The race for the top spot turned out to be a highly contested back-and-forth battle between Thompson and Jason Voss from the get go. Unfortunately, Voss succumbed to mechanical failure just a few miles from the finish line. Because the race was so tight for the win, Thompson opted out of a planned mid-way driver change. Instead he chose to leave Letner in to drive to the top spot on the podium.

The team of Kevin Thompson and Harley Letner claimed the Pahrump Nugget "250" presented by Polaris RZR overall victiory.

When all the dust had settled, Best In The Desert Operations Manager Donald Jackson had this to say.“What a way to close out the 2018 season. With another record race entry that saw nearly 75% of the field cross the finish line, we couldn’t be happier with our 2018 season. Seeing growth across the board in all classes for the entire season, we’re extremely proud of all our class winners, champions, participants, and team members that competed throughout the year. Everybody at Best In The Desert recognizes their hard work and devotion to the great sport of off-road desert racing. I also personally want to thank all the volunteers who make these the safest and best organized events in the United States and salute them for their time and dedication. And to the Best In The Desert staff, you are the greatest people I know. I respect, admire and love each and every one of you. Thank you for your support and helping keep Casey's dream not only alive but prospering.”

Everybody celebrated Saturday night with both bragging rights, talk of what could have been, and just wait until next year as they wrapped up another adventurous Best In The Desert race season.

Race winners by class for thePahrump Nugget “250” presented by Polaris RZR included:

Kevin Thompson – Trick Truck

Pat Dean – Class 1500

Steve Croll – Class 6100, Spec Engine Trick Truck

Brent Fox – Class 1000

Garett Allred – Class 1700

Ted Baker – Class 2000

Mike Shetler – Class 2700

Billy Bunch – Class 3700

Mel Wade III – Class 4400

Travis Chase – Class 5000

Joshua Cobb – Class 6000

Tim Marques – Class 6200

Jason Prichard – Class 7100

Michael Frye – Class 7200

Chad Hall – Class 7300

Anthony Napoleon – Vintage Class

John David – Class 8100 – Open Sportsman

Phil Blurton – UTV Turbo

Mike Deley – UTV Pro Production

Brett Comiskey – UTV Unlimited

Henrique Cisneros – UTV Sportsman

Justin Matney's second place finish was good enough to earn him the 2018 Trick Truck Championship.

2018 Best In The Desert Pro Class Champions

Trick Truck – Justin Matney

Class 1500 – Pat Dean

Class 6100 – Terry Householder

Class 1000 – Brock Heger

Class 1700 – Rob Seubert

Class 2700 – Mike Shetler

Class 3700 – Billy Bunch

Class 5000 – Travis Chase

Class 6000 – Joshua Cobb

Class 6200 – Mike Avila

Class 7200 – Michael Frye

Class 7300 – Chad Hall

UTV Turbo – Phil Blurton

UTV Pro Production – Kaden Wells

UTV Unlimited – Brett Comiskey

Open Pro Motorcycle – Brody Honea

300 Pro Motorcycle – Kyle Gervais

Over 30 Pro Motorcycle – Reece Honea

Quad Pro – Erin Simmons

FOR SERIES INFORMATION:

Contact Liz Marshall at Best in the Desert at bitd@bitd.com

or by calling 702-457-5775

FOR MARKETING/SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Contact Scot Harden at scot.harden@harden-offroad.com

or by calling 951-491-1819

Follow the action of the Lucas Oil Production Studios broadcasts of Best In The Desert events on the NBC Sports Network and MAVTV.

2018 Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – Official Truck, General Tire – Official Tire, Lucas Oil Products – Official Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels – Official Fuel, Rugged Radios – Official Communications, Fabtech – Official Suspension, Polaris RZR – Official UTV, KC HiLiTES – Official Light, Beta Motorcycles – Official Motorcycle, Method Race Wheels, Tactical Recovery Equipment, Trophy Tractor, R-N-R Steel, Dicks Racing Suspension, Slime, McKenzies, Sportsman Cycle Sales, Fall Advertising and TrueTravel Dynamics.

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THE AMERICAN OFF-ROAD RACING SERIES

Best In The Desert Racing Association - www.bitd.com - email: bitd@bitd.com - phone: (702) 457-5775

Media Contact:www.fallads.com/bitd - email: mediabitd@fallads.com - russt@fallads.com - donaldf@fallads.com

THE USE OF DRONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT ANY BEST IN THE DESERT EVENT. Please be aware, Drones are VERY DANGEROUS to the safety of all concerned, both people in the air and on the ground.