DIRTY WORK DONE FOR BRABHAM IN STADIUM SUPER TRUCKS CHAMPIONSHIP
Another impressive weekend for Matt Brabham in Stadium SUPER Trucks at Glen Helen Raceway puts the Indianapolis-based Australian in pole position for the championship.
Brabham bagged two podiums across the weekend at the dirt track and the overall round win to add to his 2018 tally.
The DeVilbiss entrant qualified ninth for the first race on Saturday, which saw him on the first row for the six-abreast start on the reverse grid.
He was able to capitalise on this starting position and finish second setting up a thrilling Sunday.
The final race of the weekend was a chaotic scene, with a full race restart after two trucks came together before the end of the first lap.
Gavin Harlien, who currently sits second in the championship and Jeff Hoffman became stuck on each other and needed rescue crews to pull the trucks apart.
Once untangled, the two re-joined the field in their original qualifying positions, as the contingent were shown the green flag for the second time.
It was a race of attrition with drivers keen to avoid the carnage, Brabham sat in 6th away from the lead battles as damage and errors forced others out of contention.
The full course caution was shown with a handful of laps to go as the #75 of Erik Davis, rolled at the top of the mountain.
Safety crews quickly righted the truck, and instructed the remaining drivers to use the ‘joker’ variant of the track to avoid the scene as racing resumed.
On the restart, Blade Hildebrand took control, the Californian was strong throughout the race and was set for his first ever race win.
Meanwhile, Brabham made his way passed Cole Potts and then quickly was promoted to third.
With one lap remaining, Hildebrand spun and was forced to watch while Harlien and Brabham overtook for first and second respectively.
The last lap proved a championship showdown as Harlien looked to secure the points to remain in the fight and Brabham had a point to prove. Ultimately, they crossed the line with Harlien in first and Brabham in second.
The year comes to an end with the championship still in play and plans for further events in the pipeline.
Matt’s 2018 campaigns are supported by The Boat Works, DeVilbiss, the Preston Group, Gale Pacific, Coolaroo, PIRTEK and the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, of which he is a proud ambassador.
WHAT MATT HAS TO SAY..
“It’s so good to be back on the podium in dirt races, it’s unfamiliar territory for me. So to get the DeVilbiss truck, Hawk performance and all my sponsors up on the box is phenomenal. So I’m just stoked to be up here,” said Brabham.
“We survived the race and the last ones standing are the ones on the podium. Congrats to everyone out there, it was so much fun racing. This track is unbelievable.
“It was pretty cool, the last lap Gavin and I going for the championship and we’re the last two left pretty much on the track going for it. So it was pretty special.
“Robby’s kind of taken me under his wing, it’s been so good to be a part of all these different styles of driving. Doing the Baja with him, doing stuff like this – I’m learning so much from guys like him and Sheldon.
“I obviously can compete and can have a really good time on the road courses but there’s certainly a lot for me to learn on the dirt. But yeah, I’m getting there and I’m having so much fun doing it.
“It’s been absolutely amazing having DeVilbiss behind me and Hawk, sponsoring the full truck for the whole year has been a big thing for me and for the series as well. So I can’t wait to have them on board for next year and the goal is to win a championship for them. We’re well on our way to doing that. And for my personal sponsors, The Boat Works, Preston Hire, Coolaroo and GALE Pacific, it’s been awesome having them on the truck too. And obviously the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
(On his plans for 2019) “Hopefully SUPER Trucks, for sure yeah definitely that’s going to be on the table and then just trying to figure out anything else. So if there’s anyone out there that needs a driver, I’ll race for food. “