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Menzies, Blurton Extend Vegas to Reno Winning Streaks

It was back-to-back wins in Best in the Desert’s two premier classes on Friday, as Bryce Menzies (Trick Truck) and Phil Blurton (UTV Turbo) took the top spots in this year’s running of the Maxxis Tire Casey Folks Vegas to Reno presented by FOX. For Menzies, it was the second straight win in the longest point-to-point race in the United States after a heartbreaking DNF with the finish line in his sights two years ago; for Blurton, his status as the undisputed king of this race was reinforced by a fourth straight win.

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The Concrete Motorsports duo of Kevin Thompson and Harley Letner were second overall, just under nine minutes off of Menzies’ winning time, while Luke McMillin continued his strong 2020 with a third overall finish. Jason Voss and Andy McMillin completed the top five, while top qualifier Cameron Steele finished eighth. Rob MacCachren handed off the driver’s seat of his truck to son Cayden due to a back injury in the middle of the race to finish ninth, while Robby Gordon’s heralded Unicorn soldiered through early issues to finish 18th.

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Blurton’s win in UTV Turbo came in a spirited battle with defending BITD champion Mitch Guthrie Jr. and Dustin Jones, who finished second and third. Defending UTV Production champion and race winner Seth Quintero took the win in that class by just under four minutes over Kolton Hustead, while Wes Miller scored the UTV Unlimited win by just over six minutes ahead of Josh Shelton.

Other premier class winners included Jake Johnson in Class 1500, Ray Griffith in Class 6100, and Jared Teague in Class 1000. None of the classes were separated by more than 10 minutes, with Teague’s victory over Freddie Willert decided by just two minutes and 18 seconds.

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As always, Vegas to Reno claimed its share of big-name DNFs, with the most spectacular a fire to Ryan Arciero’s Trick Truck; nobody was injured, but the truck was a loss. Other front-runners who couldn’t make it to the finish included BJ Baldwin and Justin Lofton in Trick Truck, as well as a long list of UTV Turbo stars like Justin Lambert, Wayne Matlock, Brandon Schueler, and Branden Sims.

levis trophy truck on fire off road racer
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Photo Credits: Bink Designs

Full results from the 2020 Maxxis Tire Casey Folks Vegas to Reno presented by FOX are as follows:

Trick Truck

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
17Bryce MenziesLas Vegas, NVFORD07:48:00.839
270Kevin ThompsonNew Braunfels, THSB07:56:45.683
383Luke McmillinEl Cajon, CARCE07:57:37.782
435Jason VossCupertino, CAFORD08:01:41.561
531Andy McmillinEncinitas, CACHEV08:05:32.636
66Steve SourapasRancho Santa Fe FGRFGR08:16:22.200
738Eric HusteadSt. George, UTFORD08:16:55.594
843Cameron S SteeleSan Clemente, CFGR08:17:20.827
911Rob MaccachrenLas Vegas, NVFGR08:20:06.663
1024Adam HouseholderYorba Linda, CAHSB08:21:15.067
1119Tim HerbstHuntington BeachHSB08:23:43.727
1223Dan McmillinEl Cajon, CAMAS08:24:51.952
138Sara PriceCanyon Lake, CAGEI08:25:13.437
1471Rolf HellandMorris, ILFORD08:39:30.093
1527Steve OlligesLas Vegas, NVFGR08:55:18.871
1690Raul GomezPlacerville, CAGEI09:00:22.943
1775Kelly McarthurPomona, CABTI09:06:30.192
1874Mike PrescottLa Canada FlintriJIM09:14:15.052
1973John T. LennonParadise Valley, AHSB09:18:07.311
2078Chris GermanPetaluma, CACHEV09:26:25.687
2177Robby GordonCharlotte, NCCTM09:51:36.538
2258Tracy GrafSylvan Lake, ABFRAC11:32:54.201
2329Dean Van DamTexico, NMGEI13:02:45.402
2444Bill ApgoodHolladay, UTGEI14:20:15.850
DNF32Ryan ArcieroHuntington BeachHSB00:00:00.000
DNF82Sam BaldiBeaumont, CABAL00:00:00.000
DNF97Bj BaldwinLas Vegas, NVIDD00:00:00.000
DNF84John BowersNorco, CAFUS00:00:00.000
DNF127Jonathan BrenthelTemecula, CABTI00:00:00.000
DNF54Robert JohnstonOoltewah, TNGEI00:00:00.000
DNF41Justin LoftonBrawley, CAJIM00:00:00.000
DNF53Wade PorterChico, CABTI00:00:00.000
DNF40Kit StokesLas Vegas, NVCHEV00:00:00.000

Class 1500

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
11546Jake JohnsonYucaipa, CAPOR08:21:30.163
*21529Brandon BaileyRiverside, CACTM08:30:34.029
31532Cody ParkhouseLong Beach, CAJIM08:30:56.859
41549Sam BerriMurphys, CAJIM08:42:52.281
51513Michael FryeLas Vegas, NVJIM09:32:58.590
61552Brendan GaughanLas Vegas, NVHMS09:37:09.079
71536Larry BrownBakersfield, CAJIM10:21:13.942
81520Butch JensenHenderson, NVALM11:10:47.908
DNF1562Ladd GilbertLas Vegas, NVBUN00:00:00.000
DNF1583Bill WingerningRolling Hills, CAJIM00:00:00.000

Class 6100

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
16149Ray GriffithDowney, CAGEI08:46:01.627
26118Ryan HancockYuma, AZTSCO08:50:36.631
36125Jax RedlineAmarillo, TXGEI08:53:36.683
46166Jeff BaderPasadena, CABTI08:56:52.101
56139Terry HouseholderYorba Linda, CAHSB09:00:24.555
66164Pierce HerbstHuntington BeachHSB09:02:55.631
76168Eli KigerMount Morris, PAMAS09:05:27.334
86131Mike OsbornLos Angeles, CAMAS09:07:45.069
96138Brad LovellColorado SpringsGEI09:08:16.069
106114Justin BlowerSan Clemente, CHSB09:10:06.591
116189Sterling MillerAckerly, TXBTI09:21:09.624
126117Troy MesserKingman, AZARM09:24:12.771
136173Kyle JergensenMurrieta, CABTI09:28:02.834
146197Michael LewisSan Marcos, CAMAS09:31:42.478
156177Travis. WilliamsAvondale, AZGEI09:36:43.545
166122Michael PyleDraper, UTCTM09:40:24.959
176179Austin JonesGoodyear, AZTSCO09:43:39.867
186154Alan LevinsonBlue Diamond, NVCHEV09:50:07.325
196133L.d. SmithCommerce City, CACTM09:52:29.415
206128Jacob AndrewVista, CACTM10:01:28.033
216152John LangleyCarson, CAMAS10:09:19.742
226184Andre LaurinTiny, NVCTM10:09:32.564
236108Chad DohrmanMurrieta, CACTM10:09:32.648
246157Trevor HarveyWestminster, COBTI10:30:26.949
256191Alex WackerAubrey, TXCBG11:04:52.550
266160Jerry.. HerlingYucaipa, CAFUS11:27:35.779
276105Kelly McneilMesa, AZCTM11:47:57.132
286110Bryan ScheibleBowmansville, NYBTI12:55:00.283
DNF6143Chad BroughtonScotts Valley, CAFORD00:00:00.000
DNF6192Jason ColemanHuntington BeachHSB00:00:00.000
DNF6102Kyle CraftCorona, CABTI00:00:00.000
DNF6175Dustin GrabowskiAlta Loma, CAHSB00:00:00.000
DNF6150Joseph HerlingYucaipa, CAFUS00:00:00.000
DNF6136Clay LawrenceBanning, CAHSB00:00:00.000
DNF6194Joe LombardoLas Vegas, NVBTI00:00:00.000
DNF6153Adam Ray LunnWichita Falls, TXARM00:00:00.000
DNF6137Robert MaloneDurango, COBTI00:00:00.000
DNF6104Scott WoodenCornelius, ORBTI00:00:00.000

UTV Turbo

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
1T944Phil BlurtonAuburn, CACAM09:52:26.160
2T901Mitch Guthrie Jr.Glendora, CAPOL09:55:30.217
3T978Dustin JonesShreveport, LACAM09:56:11.315
4T948Matt BurroughsNorco, CACAM10:04:59.738
5T917Jason MurraySanta Ana, CACAM10:13:47.499
6T931Craig ScanlonYorba Linda, CAPOL10:20:34.147
7T905Marc. BurnettChula Vista, CACAM10:23:21.469
8T998Pj JonesScottsdale, AZCAM10:24:13.808
9T873Jorge VelaCabo San LucasCAM10:26:31.805
10T969Logan GastelHighland, CACAM10:28:11.379
11T961Nate HaleDraper, UTPOL10:29:43.079
12T974Randy RomoHenderson, NVPOL10:33:33.935
13T813Cole FreidayKingman, AZCAM10:49:04.977
14T950Vito RanuioStockton, CACAM10:54:07.919
15T975Michael CafroFallbrook, CAPOL10:55:46.268
16T887Edgar GarciaTrabuco CanyonCAM10:59:47.934
17T910Dan FisherMesa, AZCAM11:01:44.586
18T925James MooreFarmington, NMCAM11:05:42.795
19T806Mitchell AlsupBakersfield, CACAM11:20:08.089
20T958Michael Mamelli Jr.Costa Mesa, CAPOL11:20:38.140
21T936Jacob CarverPrescott Valley, AZPOL11:22:21.014
22T991Sierra RomoHenderson, NVPOL11:30:01.857
23T990Don Daley IiiPoway, CAPOL12:12:06.432
24T952Jonathan McvayQueen Creek, AZPOL12:17:53.107
25T829Aspen ChournosSt George, UTPOL12:31:02.342
26T912Russell BowersStockton, CAPOL12:39:00.532
27T923Robert GottQuincy, CAPOL13:25:19.008
28T821Nathan WaunchOlympia, WAPOL14:01:51.800
29T904Cory SappingtonPeoria, AZCAM15:02:54.134
30T891Bill HermantSparks, NVPOL16:21:09.477
31T860Ryan HaggertyStockton, CAPOL16:54:23.229
32T911Josh MeisterCalifornia City, CACAM17:17:34.604
33T984Kristopher MccoyLindon, UTCAM17:24:27.053
34T967Mike PrattDraper, UTPOL19:04:16.082
DNFT915Jim BeaverParker, AZPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT825Cody BradburyNuevo, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT845Colt BrinkerhoffLaguna Hills, CACAM00:00:00.000
DNFT914Martin ChristensenEscondido, CACAM00:00:00.000
DNFT934Nicholas GurriesFremont, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT820Rj HayesApple Valley, CACAM00:00:00.000
DNFT858John KawellYorba Linda, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT918Justin LambertBakersfield, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT920Pete LibbyOxford, MECAM00:00:00.000
DNFT971Wayne MatlockAlpine, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT884Brandon PierceLindon, UTCAM00:00:00.000
DNFT815Ryan PiplicLas Vegas, NVPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT919Brandon SchuelerPhoenix, AZPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT913Branden SimsPrescott Valley, APOL00:00:00.000
DNFT927Justin SmithWittman, AZCAM00:00:00.000
DNFT943Michael R. TaylorHomeland, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT830Scott TraftonAlpine, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNFT954Austin WeilandEl Cajon, CACAM00:00:00.000
DNFT849Dean Wheeler JrPhoenix, AZPOL00:00:00.000

UTV Production

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
11903Seth QuinteroSan Marcos, CAPOL10:34:39.215
21938Kolton HusteadSt George, UTTEX10:38:31.149
31954Kristen MatlockAlpine, CAPOL10:55:16.318
41995Kaden WellsSt George, UTPOL11:01:33.525
51808Madeline WedekinTemecula, CAPOL11:12:37.076
61854Zackary SimsPurcell, OKYAM12:07:53.193
71962Dodge PoelmanOrem, UTPOL12:11:48.198
81906Mark LevrettSparks, NVTEX12:20:51.046
91817Bret WardScottsdale, AZPOL12:37:29.062
101960Allen AlexanderMinden, NVPOL12:40:56.383
111991Dominick GaglioneHenderson, NVPOL13:25:50.133
121949David ZieglerReno, NVKAW14:00:30.619
131922Tim HallHawthorne, NVPOL14:41:13.471
141907Scott BakerAnaheim Hills, CAPOL15:12:09.053
151850Michael PascarellaRidgecrest, CAPOL15:19:53.902
161950Dean YaleSan Diego, CAKAW16:24:02.697
171855Scott DavisMoreno Valley, CAYAM17:38:59.904
DNF1977Brayden BakerYorba Linda, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1957Joe BoltonLa Mirada, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1803Aaron ClarkBrea, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1958George FelixHouston, TXPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1992Brenden HempelBettendorf, IAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1928Shandy KittlesonHouston, TXPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1985Adrian OrellanaEscondido, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1927Ryan OttersbergPhoenix, AZPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1986Amin PatelTerrebonne, ORPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1959Josh RowLakeside, CAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1940Troy WallWashington, UTPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1895Corbin WellsSt George, UTPOL00:00:00.000
DNF1948Paul ZieglerReno, NVKAW00:00:00.000

UTV Unlimited

Fin.No.DriverHometownManufacturerTime
12989Wes MillerLas Vegas, NVPOL10:44:15.613
22929Josh SheltonSpicewood, TXCAM10:50:22.325
32924Randy RascheinBrownsville, ORCAM11:07:20.628
42901Michael IsomSt George, UTCAM11:15:53.108
52998Cameron OrnelasScottsdale, AZCAM12:03:21.683
62981Rodney PyburnMesa, AZPOL13:01:46.128
72930Sean CookTwain Harte, CACAM13:38:59.238
82925Jeramiah DrewLas Vegas, NVCAM13:47:37.786
92917Ben VrbancicBrighton, COPOL13:58:11.401
102940George PondellaGlendale, CACAM13:59:30.045
112982Nicholas ShearerRiverside, CACAM14:26:47.621
122994Christopher PolvoordeHermet, CAHON15:37:51.688
132969Cheyne DewolfeBuckeye, AZCAM16:12:40.470
142996Brook JensenPinon Hills, CAPOL16:36:42.219
152920Cindy CobianClaremont, CAPOL20:48:06.301
DNF2935Ryan CampBremen, GAPOL00:00:00.000
DNF2977Justin ElenburgMesa, AZCAM00:00:00.000
DNF2914Daniel HurnPeoria, AZCAM00:00:00.000
DNF2963Craig JohnsonClarissa, MNCAM00:00:00.000
DNF2951Herman JohnsonRio Rancho, NMCAM00:00:00.000
DNF2941Steven PooleQuartzsite, AZCAM00:00:00.000
DNF2915Branden SorensenLas Vegas, NVCTM00:00:00.000
DNF2964Robert VanbeekumQueen Creek, AZPOL00:00:00.000
DNF2933Eliott WatsonEl Centro, CAHON00:00:00.000
DNF2927Nolan WilliamsLompoc, CACAM00:00:00.000
DNF2975Travis ZollingerLogan, UTCAM00:00:00.000
Chris Leone

A veteran of the motorsports industry (both physical and digital), Chris Leone contributes coverage of race events of all types to Off-Road Racer. Elsewhere, he is the marketing/communications manager at iRacing, media director of Jim Beaver's Down & Dirty Show, and a frequent contributor to UTV Underground.