Maifield, Phend, Bourdon, and Thielke Win At The 2023 Dirt Nitro Challenge!

As we sat at JConcepts HQ on Monday morning, we checked the forecast only to find rain predicted for three straight days in Perris, California. Despite the cynical-looking forecast, we packed our bags and flew to California early on Tuesday morning. The trip proved that there was bad weather looming over the west coast. After a very turbulent ride, we arrived at Ontario International Airport and made the journey to the track. With rumors of heavy rain and possibly snow in the forecast, Joey and The Dirt crew got to work, figuring out a plan b. On the far side of the iconic outdoor track is a pavilion. Joey decided to prep a backup track underneath the Pavillon in the instance that the impending rain rolled in. Thank goodness they made this last-minute decision.

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Wednesday rolled around, and the weather was beautiful. The wind was gusty, but we were out on the big track running through two rounds of seeding. We held out hope, but as we looked out the hotel window Thursday, we knew this would be the end of the highly anticipated outdoor track. However, we collectively still held out hope that the mains would be able to occur outdoors. While the morning was clear of rain, with cumulonimbus clouds lurking in the sky, Joey decided to start qualifying on the backup track under the pavilion. This track was significantly smaller, but we were grateful to be racing. Only 10-12 drivers could comfortably fit on the driver’s stand, so they created more heats and condensed down to two rounds of qualifying. The backup track made for interesting racing and even some unexpected results. Ultimately, we raced on the covered track for the remainder of the weekend.

Drivers were averaging lap times between 16.9 and 18 seconds for the pro heats. The track surface had various conditions. It was primarily dusty and bumpy. However, the straightaway was on asphalt. For tires, drivers experimented with Recons, Kosmos, and Stalkers. For the Truck classes, drivers used the Recons or Reflex. We only used the green super soft compound all weekend long. The field was highly stacked and competitive. Drivers from all over the world flew in to compete, and with the challenging track conditions, it could’ve been anyone’s race.

Seeding:

40+ Electric Buggy: Brent Thielke (2)

Pro Nitro Truck: Ryan Maifield (2)

40+ Electric Truck: Paul Ciccarello (1), Brian Eiter (2)

Int. Electric Truck: Dylan Bartlett (2)

Pro Electric Truck: Spencer Rivkin (2)

40+ Nitro Buggy: Dennis Wilson (1), Robert Sorjonen (3)

50+ Nitro Buggy: Dennis Wilson (3)

40+ Invite Nitro Buggy: Brent Thielke (1)

Int. Nitro Buggy: Brenden Bartlett (3)

Pro Nitro Buggy: Mason Fuller (2)

Qualifying (Best 1 of 2):

40+ Electric Buggy: Paul Ciccarello (1)

40+ Electric Truck: Paul Ciccarello (1), Brian Eiter (2)

40+ Invite Nitro Buggy: Brent Thielke (3)

40+ Nitro Buggy: Dennis Wilson (3)

50+ Nitro Buggy: Miguel Perez (3)

Int. Electric Buggy: Shane O’Connor (1)

Int. Electric Truck: Shane O’Connor (2)

Int. Nitro Buggy: Shane O’Connor (1), Dylan Bartlett (3)

Int. Nitro Truck: Shane O’Connor (3)

Pro Electric Buggy: Dakotah Phend (2), Cole Tollard (3)

Pro Electric Truck: Joey Bourdon (2)

Pro Nitro Buggy: Dakotah Phend (1),

Pro Nitro Truck: Mason Fuller (1), Ryan Maifield (3)

Final Results:

40+ Electric Buggy: Brent Thielke (2)

40+ Invite Nitro Buggy: Brent Thielke (1)

40+ Nitro Buggy: Tobin Hammock (2)

Int. Electric Buggy: Shane O’Connor (2)

Int. Electric Truck: Shane O’Connor (3)

Int. Nitro Buggy: Dylan Bartlett (3)

Pro Electric Buggy: Dakotah Phend (1), Mason Fuller (3)

The Pro Electric Buggy A-Main was the first pro main event of the weekend. We anticipated it to be chaotic and unpredictable. It surely proved us right. Marco Baruffolo led the way after taking the TQ spot. Dakotah Phend qualified second, but by lap 5, he fell down to 4th place. Thankfully, it lasted for one lap, and he made the pass on Maifield back to 3rd. He ran third for two laps and started chipping away at the drivers in front of him. In the span of two laps, Phend moved to 2nd and then took over the lead. Fuller had a bobble and fell down to 2nd. Phend cruised around in the lead for 8 laps. On the 9th lap, Mason Fuller drove confidently back into that lead position. Fuller originally started 4th on the grid and had quickly made his way to the lead by lap 5. Phend had a crash that set him back to 3rd and eventually he found himself in 4th. He continued to work his way back through the ranks. Canas and Baruffolo were running 2nd and 3rd, but both made mistakes that Phend was able to capitalize on. Three laps from the final tone, Fuller got hung up and fell down to third and Phend took over the lead. It was truly a comeback race for Phend!

Pro Electric Truck: Joey Bourdon (1), Kaden Fuller (2), Mason Fuller (3)

For the first time, a large group of professional races decided to race the Pro Electric Truck class. In the A-Main event, we had: Joey Bourdon, Mason Fuller, Ryan Maifield, Kaden Fuller, Spencer Rivkin, Phi-Long Nguyen, and Adam Drake. Marco Baruffolo was the TQ and led the way in this 10-minute final. Bourdon started 2nd, running fast and clean. When Baruffolo got hung up, Bourdon was prepared to make his move. He drove that Tekno E-Truck with as much grace as you possibly could during a DNC Main event. Once Bourdon took over the lead, it was game over. He drove with complete confidence and never made a mistake. Kaden Fuller started 4th in this main event. Shortly after the start he fell down to 5th, but got back to work climbing through the ranks. Kaden proved to stay consistent and push the pace. While others made mistakes, Kaden was on his journey to the top. Ultimately, Kaden found himself in 2nd by lap 21 and remained there. Mason Fuller had the ultimate adventure in this main. Mason started 11th after bumping from the B-main. From the initial tone, Mason knew he had to make it on the podium. He quickly took over 10th and then 9th within two laps. Little by little, Mason made his way up to third with very few setbacks. Ultimately, Joey Bourdon took the win with both Fuller brothers standing on either side of him for a JConcepts sweep!

Pro Nitro Buggy: Ryan Maifield (1), Dakotah Phend (2)

After two strong rounds of qualifying, Dakotah Phend started on the pole position in the Pro Nitro Buggy A-Main event. We had several drivers make the main event: Dakotah Phend, Ryan Maifield, Spencer Rivkin, and Lee Setser. When the tone went off, Dakotah Phend immediately began to push as he wanted to create a gap and some safety. On a track, this small lap traffic and navigating the bumps would be the biggest challenge. Phend led the race for the first 62 laps. Ryan Maifield started 4th on the grid, and while he was battling his way through the mid-pack, he fell down to 5th but made the climb back to 4th. By lap 16, he found himself in 3rd and was consistently battling with Cole Ogden for that final podium position. Maifield was the only driver able to stay on the same lap as Phend. Ultimately, any mistake a driver made put them in the position of being lapped with how tight the lap times were. On lap 63, Phend had a bobble, and Maifield took over the lead position. He was able to hold on to the lead for five laps and then Dakotah took it back. It was the ultimate Phend and Mayfield battle.

Time was ticking down. It wasn’t until lap 118 that Maifield had the opportunity to take back that coveted lead. He took it back for 13 laps, and then Phend surged back into the lead. Phend was on a mission, and the pressure was on. Phend was trying to hang on to his car and push the pace. Maifield was close enough to capitalize on any bobble and took it back after two laps. From there, Maifield was driving his heart out, hanging on as long as he could. Dakotah wanted that win too, and he was right there waiting to make his move. Ultimately, Maifield took the win with only 1.6 seconds to spare! Phend finished 2nd and Ty Tessmann rounded it out in 3rd. Maifield and Phend were the only drivers to achieve 150 laps! They had 2 laps on the field. We’ll have this main uploaded on our YouTube channel. You’ll want to see this legendary battle for yourself!

Pro Nitro Truck: Dakotah Phend (2), Ryan Maifield (3)

The Pro Nitro Truck main had quite the start. If you look at the line graph on Live RC you’ll notice how the lines look chaotic from 3rd place and down. Mason Fuller was the TQ and held on to the lead position for the first 13 laps. Everyone was running close together and Fuller had one bobble. Tessmann was close enough to capitalize. Fuller and Tessmann went back and forth until lap 31. While those two were battling it out Ryan Maifield was quietly approaching. He took the lead for five laps. While everyone was watching that front battle, Dakotah Phend was doing some serious work, making his way up from 9th on the grid. Phend was able to take over the lead as pit stops were happening and he held on for 21 laps. Tessmann proved to be the most consistent and once he took back the lead on lap 57, it was his for the remainder of the race. Meanwhile, Phend and Maifield battled it out for the final two podium spots. They went back and forth all the way to the final six laps, where Dakotah Phend was able to hold on to 2nd. Phend and Maifield finished only 2.5 seconds apart.

Overall, we are grateful to have been able to race the 2023 Dirt Nitro Challenge, despite the weather conditions. Joey and his team worked hard to make it happen! We are incredibly proud of our team and it was wonderful to work with all the new drivers on our team along with the old. Congratulations to Dakotah Phend, Ryan Maifield, Joey Bourdon, and Brent Thielke on their victories! It was a quick turnaround for the team as many of us headed out to Phoenix Arizona for the 2023 Desert Classic!

Winning Products:

• Recon Tires
• Mono Wheels
• Dirt Tech Inserts
• Fin Titanium Turnbuckles
• Radial Bearings
• Top Hat Titanium Screws
• S15 Body
• F2I Wing
• Front Scoop
• F2 Body