LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Kenny Freeman is stepping away from a busy schedule in the carpet business to climb in his motor home and tow his off-road equipment to what is called the Super Bowl of off-road racing at Crandon International Off Road Raceway in Wisconsin, about 100 miles north of Green Bay.
The 1.5 mile track will draw about 200 racers and an estimated 20,000 fans for its 40th anniversary Brush Rush event June 20-21 when the Traxxas TORC (The Off Road Championship) Series is held. The Freemans departed recently on a 2,000 mile trip expecting to take 4-5 days enjoying themselves in a luxurious motor home.
Las Vegas sensation Rob MacCachren – a three-time winner in Crandon -- is expected to run Pro 2 in a sparkling field that will also include such names as Jeremy McGrath and Johnny Grease in an event so immense that 600 volunteers are needed at the facility known as “The Big House.”
MacCachren will run in the Forest County Potawatomi Chairman’s Cup event, while Freeman expects to have big-time competition in the 1600 category.
The 52 year-old Freeman will run a Kevin Bunderson-built vehicle which was used in the last race of the 2008 Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) season.
The short course idea stuck with Freeman especially after CORR shut down leaving him with a car and nowhere to race.
“This is something that I have always wanted to do,” said Freeman, whose family has been entrenched with the Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts for more than 40 years. “We just decided to pack up and head for Crandon. We’re looking for a podium finish.”
The Freemans aren’t the only ones from Las Vegas headed for Crandon. Tommy Bradley and his wife, Kelly, are also headed for Wisconsin; along with the Freeman’s son, Bryan and his wife, Jessica; and the Freeman’s personable Yorkshire mascot, Maxie, who would not miss an off-road race.
Veteran competitor Bruce Fraley is also a possibility although his status is pending the availability of air flight
Crandon International Off Road Raceway has been around since 1970 providing an atmosphere which is reportedly unmatched in the sport.
Crandon is situated in the northeast portion of Wisconsin about 100 miles north of Green Bay. The track draws the best in off road racing for everything from testing to major league competition. Known as a small town with big-time racing, its track record holders include names like Walker Evans, Johnny Greaves and MacCachren, who was scheduled to compete after running the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 June 5-7 in Mexico.
The 1.5-mile track has the best combination in the country according to those who make the trek to the Midwest every year. However, while the racing is unbelievable, the atmosphere is one that creates lifetime memories.
“People tell me that Talledega has the wildest infield in stock car racing, and Crandon is even bigger,” laughed Freeman.
The Freeman family is towing a 1600 cc car behind its Taj Mahal-like motor home. Whether it’s food or sleeping quarters, the group certainly will be going in style, that’s for sure.
“There are times when you just have to go for it,” said Freeman. “And besides, everyone tells me that the people of Wisconsin know how to have fun like no other people in the country.
“Crandon is to off-road racing what Daytona is to stock car racing,” Freeman explained adding that the track paid in excess of $280,000 to racers in 2008. “Whenever they have a race there, the entire town gets behind the event.”
The significance of Crandon could be measured by the creation of the documentary “Crandon: The Small Town with the Big Time Racing” produced and directed by Steve Naughton. Scheduled for release in the fall of this year, it undoubtedly will be action-packed while also featuring of the country’s prettiest communities.
Among the racers featured will be Evans, Supercross and Motocross legend Ricky Johnson; MacCachren, Las Vegas Nationwide driver Brendan Gaughan and Scott Taylor to name a few.
And this particular trip to Crandon isn’t the end of the good times considering that Crandon will host the 2009 BorgWarner World Championship on Labor Day Weekend Sept. 4-6.
“The September event will have even more Las Vegas drivers especially after they all hear how much fun we had,” said Freeman.
The employees of Crandon International also consider themselves among the luckiest in auto racing.
“This is my third year and it’s huge,” said Allison Morrow, who moved to Crandon from Minnesota six years ago. “I had been working in a bank in Crandon and gave my two-week notice. My boss told me her husband had wanted me to work at the track. He liked my personality and I just got very lucky.”
CONTACT: Mike Henle, 702-279-3483
CAPTION: Kenny and Kerry Freeman head to Crandon, Wisc., with their Yorkshire Maxie.
