Jerry Whelchel – 2007 PRO 2 Champion #1 Acknowledged As One of the Most Exciting Drivers to Watch, Jerry Whelchel’S Off-Road Racing Career Has Spanned Over 20 Years
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Jerry Whelchel – 2007 PRO 2 Champion #1 Acknowledged as one of the most exciting drivers to watch, Jerry Whelchel’s off-road racing career has spanned over 20 years. Currently the reigning CORR Pro-2 point champion, Jerry has competed with and beat some of the best off-road drivers in the world. Beginning with the legendary Mickey Thompson stadium series, Jerry won the series four times and holds the title for most main event wins. He has won the SCORE San Felipe 250 twice and holds the SCORE Trophy Truck Laughlin Leap record at 160.5 feet. Jerry has built a solid reputation for being a top competitor and fan favorite in short course and desert off-road racing. Early Years Jerry Whelchel started racing off-road before he could drive legally. At age 14, Jerry was racing a Class 1 car with his father at the Carlsbad off-road track. A quick learner, Jerry competed in the “Baja Cross” series, racing at legendary tracks such as Indian Dunes, Corona Raceway, and Saddle Back. By 1984, the now legendary Mickey Thompson series had begun drawing thousands of fans and racers into stadiums across the country. The young Jerry Whelchel jumped head first into the series, racing his Class 1 car that eventually morphed into the Super 1600 Class. Jerry raced for several years in 1600 Class, winning several races and always finishing in front of the pack. In 1993 Jerry got the opportunity he had been waiting for, the chance to race for a FORD factory backed Grand National sport truck team. His teammate was none other than budding off-road champion Rob Machacren. Jerry went on to win the series four times and holds the title for most main event wins. “The era of Mickey Thompson was one of the best times in off-road racing. I was able to race with my heroes like Rod Millen and Ivan Stewart. We traveled the country and had a blast! I really learned how to drive a truck,” reflected Jerry. After the demise of the Mickey Thompson series, Jerry went on to race both trucks and Super 1600 buggies in the PACE series. Jerry dominated the PACE series, winning several local and national races. Into the Desert With a reputation that now preceded him, Jerry Whelchel got a call from Riviera Racing team owner and driver Mark Post. In 1994, Post asked Jerry to co-drive with him in his brand new Class 1 car in the SCORE and Best in the Desert Series. The team did well winning first in class at the SCORE Laughlin Challenge and San Felipe 250. Jerry quickly made the jump into the ultimate off-road class, the unlimited world of Trophy Trucks. The Riviera team bought the most advanced trophy truck on the market and immediately began to blaze their way through the competition, winning four SCORE races including the Laughlin Challenge, San Felipe 250, Terrible’s Primm 300, and Henderson’s Terrible 250. Additionally, Jerry currently holds the record for the Laughlin leap at 160.5 feet. Back to the Track A new style of off-road track racing was brewing, a mix between the stadium style “Mickey Thompson” racing with bigger tracks and more powerful trucks. The SODA series, which had existed in the Midwest since 1983, was bought by development tycoon Jim Baldwin and moved out west. The series really began to grow, opening a new track in Chula Vista, CA. In 2006, Jerry jumped right in, earning 7 podiums and 1 first place win at the legendary Bark River track. In 2007, Jerry had another outstanding year, finishing first overall twice and racking up 7 podiums earning him the overall ORRC Pro-2 point championship. Currently, Jerry Whelchel is campaigning a 2 truck Pro-2 team with Chet Huffman Motorsports in CORR. In addition Jerry will also be campaigning the Chet Huffman Motorsports Geiser built Trophy Truck in the SCORE and Best in the Desert Series. A Day at the Office “I have done this my whole life. A day at the office for me is sliding sideways in the dirt. I am good at off-road racing and I love doing it. It’s a great sport to be a part of, the hardcore off-road fans really motivate me! I get paid to race with all my friends. I am stoked to finally be racing on a team that is racing on the track and in the desert. It’s the best of both worlds! We are going to have a great year!” stated the enthusiastic Jerry Whelchel..