McMillin hits Baja Grand Slam with Baja 400 triumph

Luke McMillin dominated the 7th running of the SCORE Baja 400, joining an exclusive group of racers who have captured SCORE's Baja Grand Slam with wins in the San Felipe 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000.

McMillin conquered the 423.42-mile course in 8h40m50s behind the wheel of his No. 83 McMillin Racing AWD Ford Raptor Mason, with outstanding work from navigator Jason Duncan helping him write another chapter in his family's remarkable off-road racing legend. The Californian has now won three consecutive races in SCORE Trophy Truck, a feat previously accomplished by Robby Gordon in 1996, Curt LeDuc in 1997, Bryce Menzies in 2023 and Alan Ampudia in 2025.

“I’m very excited that we’re three for three this season,” said McMillin. “It was an emotional day with a lot of ups and downs. With the dust, the sun, and everything else we faced, we were able to pull off the win. So I’m very, very happy and proud of the entire team.”

The grandson of the late Corky McMillin, son of Baja racing legend Mark McMillin, and nephew of all-star off-road racer Scott McMillin, Luke moved into a tie with desert racing legends Ivan Stewart, Dan Smith, Dave Ashley and Mark Post with nine SCORE Trophy Truck race wins.

Menzies, a former Crandon and short-course off-road racing champion, finished second in the No. 7 Menzies Motorsports Ford Raptor Mason with a time of 8h43m22s. It marked Menzies’ third consecutive podium finish after finishing third in both the San Felipe 250 and Baja 500.

Maverick and Chasen Gaunt of Smiley Motorsports won the SCORE Baja 400 in the second-year SCORE Trophy Truck 2WD class, completing the course with their No. 42T Geiser Bros Chevy Silverado in 9h52m19s. It marked their first victory in the class.

Carlos Apdaly Lopez – the only Mexican racer in history to win three SCORE Trophy Truck championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017 – finally earned a long-awaited Baja 400 win, driving his No. 273 Brenthel Chevy Silverado to a winning time of 9h20m22s in a highly competitive class that featured 29 race teams.

For the fifth consecutive year, Mexicali’s Gustavo ‘Gus’ Vildosola Sr., 73, and Supercross legend Ricky Johnson, 62, celebrated a victory in the Baja 400, earning their second straight SCORE win this season in the SCORE Trophy Truck Legend class. Driving the No. 1L Vildosola Racing Ford Raptor Mason AWD, the duo crossed the finish line with an official time of 9h15m48s.

Wayne Matlock not only won the Pro UTV Open class, but also captured the overall UTV victory, beating the Polaris factory team's all-star roster to claim the Polaris SCORE Challenge and take home a $50,000 prize. Matlock drove his No. 1871 Matlock Racing Polaris RZR Pro R Factory to the checkered flag with an official time of 9h54m28s.

Next up for the SCORE off-road contenders is the big one – the 59th SCORE Baja 1000 will be held Nov. 9-15 in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, marking the first time in history that the event will be held entirely within the state of Baja California Sur.