Psycho Nitro Blast III Report

With 385 entries, the PNB III proved to be another exciting event as the fastest of the East and several Top Factory drivers battled for the win. In the Pro Buggy A main, it was Adam Drake starting in the TQ position with VP-Pro USA's Ryan Lopez starting 2nd using wide Ultra Flexx Axman mounted on standard wheels. Starting 3rd was Tamiya's Ryan Lutz and VP-Pro's Gene Hickerson starting 4th using Ultra Flexx Condors. At the start, the entire field of 15 buggies made it down the 240 foot straight and through the twists of the Straight Jacket. Adam Drake and Ryan Lutz ended up 1 and 2 with Gene Hickerson and Ryan Lopez battling for 3rd after the first lap, and that is where it stayed for the 1st half of the 60 minute A-main event.  On lap 30, Mike Truhe who started 7th, closed the gap between Hickerson and Lopez and started what was to become an epic 30 minute battle for 3rd position after Hickerson dropped back to 5th. In the last 15 minutes, Adam Drake began to build a lead over Lutz and took the win. The race for third continued on between Ryan Lopez and Mike Truhe until about 5 minutes to go when Truhe stepped out to a lead of about 15 seconds due to 3 less pit stops then Lopez had made and took 3rd place with Lopez 4th. Hickerson had mechanical issues and dropped out with 7 minutes to go, allowing Psycho Nitro Blast I Pro Buggy Champion, Chad Phillips to take 5th.

In 1/8 E-Buggy, it was again 2 time National Champion Adam Drake taking TQ, with VP-Pro USA's Gene Hickerson starting 2nd on Ultra Flexx Condors. At the start, Drake streatched out an 18 second lead over Hickerson as the 2 left the rest of the field. It was a 20 minute A-main event, so all drivers had to make 1 pit stop to change lipo batteries. At the 10 minute mark, Hickerson pitted and thanks to Batman and Pete The Greek's fast work, closed the gap on Drake to only 7 seconds. In the closing minutes of the race, Drake continued driving a flawless race while Hickerson made a few mistakes and had to settle for 2nd place. Kyle Touchette finished 3rd, one lap back from 1st & 2nd.