BILSTEIN Racers Make History At First-Ever Champ Off-Road Nationals In California
Under the lights at Glen Helen Raceway, BILSTEIN-sponsored racers delivered championship performances during the inaugural Champ Off-Road Nationals, the first national-level short course off-road event in Southern California since 2020. Fans packed the grandstands on both Friday and Saturday nights, witnessing the tight, technical action that the famed Glen Helen circuit is known for.
The season finale marked a milestone for the sport as BILSTEIN-backed racers captured two championship titles under the lights. Rising star Wyatt “The Thriller” Miller clinched the Pro Spec Championship, while California’s own Chaden “Big Tuna” Minder secured the Pro Buggy Championship.
Beyond the championship titles, BILSTEIN athletes Ryan Beat and Ricky Gutierrez also left their mark on the Pro 2 division. Beat and Gutierrez finished second and third in the overall championship standings, with Gutierrez sweeping the Glen Helen weekend with back-to-back victories and Beat adding two hard-fought second-place podiums to cap his consistent season.
These performance not only highlight their emerging dominance in short course off-road racing but also underscore BILSTEIN’s role as the suspension technology leader that continues to drive motorsports innovation, “Way Ahead.”
Wyatt “The Thriller” Miller - Pro Spec Champion
In just his rookie year of off-road competition, Wyatt Miller, the 13-year-old phenom from North Carolina, captured the Pro Spec Championship in commanding fashion. Piloting the Ryan Beat Motorsports-prepared Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Pro Spec truck equipped with BILSTEIN technology, Miller opened the weekend with a Friday night victory, then backed it up with a second-place finish on Saturday. His best lap was clocked at a blistering 52.369 seconds en route to securing the points necessary to seal the championship.
Miller’s consistency across the 2025 season included six victories and multiple podiums, bringing his final points tally to 734. Already a decorated micro-sprint racer and the 2024 Tulsa Shootout Restricted Micro Champion, Miller has now established himself as a rising star in short course racing. Carrying on the family legacy as the grandson of the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, Miller is proving that racing excellence runs deep in his bloodline.
“We Did It! Champion has a nice ring to it! Brought home P2 tonight in my Ryan Beat Motorsports truck, which secured us the championship. Thank you to my team, sponsors, and fans for believing in me. Officially a Champ Off-Road Pro Spec Champ!” – Wyatt Miller
Chaden “Big Tuna” Minder - Pro Buggy Champion
On the Pro Buggy side, Chaden Minder of Murrieta, California, delivered when it mattered most. Minder placed fourth in Friday’s race but stormed back on Saturday night to claim victory, and with it, the Pro Buggy Championship. His fastest lap of 50.539 seconds showcased the precision and durability of his BILSTEIN-equipped Alumicraft buggy, handling Glen Helen’s punishing corners and jumps with composure.
Across the season, Minder racked up eight wins and multiple podiums, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
“It’s been a great season, and I’m stoked to cap off 2025 with a big win at Glen Helen, our hometown event. Thank you, BILSTEIN, Maxxis Tire, VP Racing, Alumicraft, Champ Off-Road, and everyone else who supports me through the year. We couldn’t do it without you!” – Chaden Minder
Engineered For The Demands Of Off-Road Racing
Short course off-road racing is among the most punishing motorsport disciplines, demanding suspension systems that can withstand relentless impacts while maintaining precision handling. BILSTEIN shocks, including the M 9200 Bypass and M 9200 Coilover system, deliver the durability, tunability, and consistency required to excel in these conditions.
With position-sensitive technology, aerospace-grade construction, and proven performance under the toughest conditions, BILSTEIN suspension gives racers the championship-winning confidence to attack technical tracks like Glen Helen while also performing on sweeping natural circuits such as Crandon, Antigo, and Lena.
By supporting rising talents like Miller and Minder, BILSTEIN continues to demonstrate its leadership in motorsports and its ability to stay “Way Ahead.”
A Historic Weekend
The 2025 Off-Road Nationals at Glen Helen will be remembered as a landmark event, the sport’s triumphant return to Southern California and the crowning of two new champions. For BILSTEIN, it further established the brand’s dedication to innovation and its role in developing the next generation of racing stars.
BILSTEIN congratulates Wyatt Miller and Chaden Minder for their incredible achievements and thanks every racer, engineer, and fan who helps push the sport, and BILSTEIN performance technology, further ahead.