April 2, 2012

Kyle LeDuc and Toyo Tires^® Sweep Pro 4 Unlimited Class at Firebird

CHANDLER, ARIZONA –Kyle LeDuc and Toyo Tires^® swept the Pro 4 Unlimited class this weekend during the Lucas Oil^® Off Road Racing Series 2012 season-opener at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona.  Driving his #99 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Ford F-150, LeDuc’s domination began when he was the fastest qualifier on Friday.  He then won both Saturday and Sunday’s big races in a field of 12 competitors.  His 900+ horsepower truck relied on Toyo^® Open Country M/T^®-R tires to help deliver the early season wins.

“Toyos don't just win races, they eliminate any competitor,” said LeDuc.  “Team Monster Energy Drink Toyo Tires is in a league of our own and will continue to deliver more than ever expected.”

Scoring a win in the Pro Lite Unlimited class during Saturday’s Round 1 was Austin Kimbrell, driving his #88 Toyo Tires / Kimbrell Electric Ford Ranger.  Kimbrell, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, fought his way to the front of the huge 26-truck field while riding on street legal Open Country M/T tires.  During Sunday’s Round 2, Kimbrell led the field until being spun out by another competitor.  He fought his way back into a solid fourth place finish for a great start to the season.

“My Toyo tires were hooking up, running clean all weekend,” said Kimbrell.  “I can’t complain with a first and a fourth!”

In Sunday’s Pro 2 Unlimited class race, Rodrigo Ampudia scored a third place finish with his #36 Papas and Beer / Lucas Oil / Toyo Tires Ford Raptor.  Ampudia, a resident of San Diego, California, is one of the newest to compete on Toyo Tires.  Also racing in the Pro 2 Unlimited class for Team Toyo are Jeremy McGrath and Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg

“This was a great opening weekend for Team Toyo and it sets the pace for the rest of the season" said Stan Chen, manager of events and motorsports, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.  "We congratulate Kyle LeDuc on his sweep, Austin Kimbrell on his win, and Rodrigo Ampudia on capturing a spot on the podium. We look forward to many more victories in 2012.”

Watch the post-race commentaries by Kyle LeDuc and Austin Kimbrell on YouTube™ at http://bit.ly/Hg872p.

The 16-race Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be broadcast on CBS Sports, NBC Sports Network, SPEED Channel and MavTV.  

About Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.

Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of premium replacement tires for nearly every make and model including high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks.