JEB BOOTLE AND YAMAHA WIN CHAMP PRO TURBOS AT MAO

Photos and words courtesy of Championship Off-Road Racing.

AMSOIL Championship Off-Road, presented by the U.S. Air Force, drove deep into the plains of Oklahoma for the final two rounds of what has been a historic 2023 season. The series embarked on the massive Mid America Outdoors facility in the rural outpost of Jay, Oklahoma, for the first time in the series existence, and the massive MAO track would be one of the biggest challenges competitors have seen all year.

The week started with a dumping of rain, which washed out Friday’s practice, and it ended the season with another rain storm on Sunday. ButIf you were riding three-wheelers 30-plus years ago, then you’ve probably heard of the Missile Kit, which converted ATCs into a big-wheeled dirt bike. But, what you likely didn’t know is that Missile is still in business.  the track was race-ready on Saturday, and points leaders were preaching patience as contenders were not prepared to go quietly into the night. As long as the track was, it was remarkably tight and didn’t allow for a whole lot of passing opportunities, and when they came up, fenders flared.

NEW WINNER IN PRO TURBO UTVS

Jeb Bootle has been on the edge of breaking through for his first career Pro Turbo SxS win all season long, and he finally put it all together on Saturday. It was a simple equation for Bootle in the Oklahoma opener. He grabbed the lead off the start and never looked back. It wasn’t easy, but with top contenders jockeying for position beyond his roost, Bootle was a tough beat as he drove to career win number one.

“We’ve been working on it for two years straight, and we’ve had good runs, but every time, we either had a mechanical problem or a talent problem,” said Bootle. “But I’m finally glad to be up here after all our team’s hard work. It’s a little team, and we have big hearts, so I’m finally glad to get up here on the first place.”

In the points race, Kyle Chaney came into the weekend with a seven-point lead. He extended that to nine by finishing second behind Bootle but one spot ahead of his main competitor, CJ Greaves.

OWEN VANEPREN SCORES THIRD PRO STOCK VICTORY

CJ Greaves came into the weekend with a 57-point lead in Pro Stock SxS, but his championship celebration would have to wait another day as he was unable to finish Saturday’s race, exiting after lap five. Owen VanEperen kept charging all day and maneuvered his way into the race lead with two laps to go. He held off a speedy Jeb Bootle on the last lap, finishing .919 secs ahead of the runner-up for his third win of the year. Jake Jorgenson, who sits fifth overall behind VanEperen, finished third. It was his second podium of the season.

CROWNING UTV CHAMPS ON A SOGGY SUNDAY

Last season, Kyle Chaney was storming to his first Champ Pro Turbo SxS championship. But an early exit in Dirt City where he only scored two points undid his three straight wins and points lead. He nearly regained all he had lost, only to come up four points short in the end.

There was no such blip in 2023, as Chaney racked up race wins and consistent finishes to secure the title. The Can-Am factory driver picked up wins in Crandon, Dirt City, and Bark River but also totaled eight podiums on his way to the championship. CJ Greaves (Polaris) sat 11 points behind Chaney in the final standings. He garnered three wins, including a weekend sweep at the opener in Antigo. Rodney VanEperen’s  round nine win at Bark River helped lead him to a third-place overall finish.

CJ Greaves won the inaugural Championship Off-Road Pro Stock SxS championship in 2020. The Polaris driver returned to the top of the class in 2023 thanks to a dominant run of eight race wins, including six straight, starting with round five at ERX. Tyson Marquardt drove a consistent season to second overall, finishing the year with four podium finishes. Jeb Bootle moved into third overall on the heels of six podiums.

 

FINAL 2023 CHAMP OFF-ROAD UTV POINTS

Pro Turbos

1. Kyle Chaney/C-A…467

2. CJ Greaves/Pol…442

3. Rodney VanEpren/Yam…390

4. Robert Loire/Pol…381

5. Brian Waszak/Yam…298

 

Pro Stock UTVs

1. CJ Greaves/Pol…486

2. Tyson Marquardt/Yam…400

3. Jeb Bootle/Yam…390

4. Jake Jorgenson/A-C…366

5. Owen VanEpren/Yam…364