The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Vern Hollister - Correspondent

Scott Taylor from Belvedere, Illinois, driving a Ford truck with Skyjacker dominating the panel designs won the 14th Annual BorgWarner World Championship Manufacturer's Shootout Sunday. The Labor Day weekend win came in a Pro 2WD truck, only the second time the feat has been accomplished, and that other time was also by Taylor in 2002.

Right behind Taylor and pushing him all the way, another Skyjacker-sponsored truck, another 2WD, and this one driven by Ross Hoek from Holland, Michigan, crossed the line. To make the finish even more historic, other than a pair of 2WD's defeating the larger and more powerful 4WD's, the third place finisher, Dan VandenHeuvel from Appleton also competed in a 2WD.

"Scott Taylor's no stranger to the winner's circle," Crandon Raceway president Cliff Flannery said. "He's been racing here for over thirty years." A later check with Taylor confirmed that he has been coming to Crandon for 36 years.

Wrecks and injuries marred the final shootout with drivers careening around curves in the chase for an equivalent of $125,00 in prize money and products. Taylor received a check of $7,500 from BorgWarner, $3,500 from Ford trucks and $2,100 from the Potawatomi, in addition to a Traxxis remote vehicle and a welder.

At a curve within viewing area of spectators on the north side, Johnny Greaves, a local favorite, wrecked his 4WD. The wreck somehow injured Kurt LeDuc.

"Kurt got hurt when Greaves rolled," Flannery said. "A piece of Greaves – it must have been a bar – went into his leg. He drove the rest of the way. Then Kurt and his son (Kyle LeDuc) tangled at the finish." They crashed just past the finish line and on the infield. Even hurt, the elder LeDuc continued to drive and finished the race.

Other than the accidents and apparent injury, Flannery said, "It's been perfect. We couldn't have asked for anything better. Thirty-nine years, and it gets bigger and bigger."

Flannery estimated the crowd each day in the 38,000-40,000 range. Then he said to have winners from Illinois and Michigan and Wisconsin made the weekend better.

Argonne pro light driver Jeff Kincaid ended up with a good weekend. He won Friday night's main event. "It's the second time I've won the 'Decision at Sundown,'" Kincaid said. "We were winning on Saturday, and we had a fuel line problem. Then we won today," he said.

Even more noteworthy than winning two of the three races, Kincaid won the WSORR World Championship in the pro light division as the points leader for the WSORR season. The racing year is not over for him. Kincaid has three more races to go in the CORR series, and next week he is off to race again as is Taylor. Combining the two series, especially for homebodies and family men like Kincaid and Taylor, makes for a long season.

For Taylor, though, it'll be a happy trip back to Belvedere. He kissed the cup. He quoted Evan Evans when he said, "Never say never," and he thanked sponsors and was joined by his family on the podium.

Plans are already underway at Raceway International for the Brush Run's 40th anniversary during Crandon's centennial year.

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