TORC: Greaves dominant in Minnesota

Double threat CJ Greaves had a dominant weekend in Minnesota, topping the PRO 4WD and PRO 2WD podiums on both days of championship racing as TORC: The Off-Road Championship raced at ERX Motor Park for the first time.

The seventh and eighth races on the 2016 national championship saw huge and hospitable crowds turn out to the new Minneapolis-area track to see TORC Series action, as well as exciting competition from Midwest Off-Road Racing's Sportsman classes. Drivers had nothing but rave reviews for the brand new short course off-road track at ERX Motor Park.

"Hats off to all the Carlson crew and everyone who worked their butts off to put this track together," said Greaves. "It's one of a kind."

In doubleheader PRO 4WD racing, the 21-year-old Greaves twice faced down his father, multi-time champion Johnny Greaves, for the win. It was exciting racing between close competitors.

On Saturday, the younger Greaves found a way past his father on the final lap of competition when Johnny Greaves made a critical mistake, bicycling on two wheels for just long enough to lose the lead. On Sunday, CJ Greaves got out front early and fended off his father's charge to take the checkered flag. Despite his son's strong performance this weekend, Johnny Greaves leaves Elk River hanging onto an eight-point championship lead.

In PRO 2WD, it was another sweep for CJ Greaves while chief rival Keegan Kincaid crashed out on Saturday then came back to earn the runner-up result in his backup truck Sunday. Between them, the two drivers have won every PRO 2WD race this year. The double victory puts Greaves 14 points ahead of Kincaid in the points standings.

In the hotly contested Atturo Tire PRO Light class, hometown favorite Andrew Carlson took his first ever win on Saturday, while Sunday racing saw Shawn Morris take the top step of the podium for the second time in his career.

The new track offered big action for fans and exciting challenges for drivers as the sandy surface evolved during competition. ERX Motor Park has previously hosted national snocross races in the winter but co-owners Chris Carlson and Todd Plaisted built a new short-course track this year with an eye to becoming the Midwest's premiere year-round racing destination. The TORC Series is the first professional auto racing series to stop in the Twin Cities area since 2002.

"We couldn't be happier to have brought world class truck racing to the ERX Motor Park this weekend for the first time," said Carlson. "We had great crowds and exciting racing, and I'm thrilled that we are able to offer another great Midwest venue for the most exciting motorsport on the planet."

Live digital broadcasts, streaming through multiple platforms including Facebook, the FOX Sports GO app, Sony PlayStation and the torcseries.com website drew strong viewership. A pair of 90 minute broadcasts covering all the action from Elk River are scheduled to air July 28 at 7 p.m. (ET) and August 11 at 7 p.m. (ET), part of a full slate of Thursday night primetime broadcasts for the 2016 season.

Next, the 13-round championship moves to Bark River, Michigan, for doubleheader racing at the Throwdown in the U.P. Championship racing is slated for July 30 and 31 at Bark River International Raceway.