Oberg Shows Speed in Round Two in Charlotte

Eagle River, WI (April 25, 2012) - Mike Oberg headed to the first race of the 2012 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL with a new look for the #80 PRO-2WD Chevrolet Silverado. The off-season saw AMSOIL extend its support of Oberg Motorsports for another year and the addition of a new partnership with tire manufacturer General Tire. With marketing partners in place, the team was looking to a stronger 2012 race season.

The opening weekend of the 2012 TORC season was hosted by the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The temporary circuit made its way on and inside one-third mile banked dirt oval. The track was .9 mile in length, using practically every inch of the one-third mile dirt oval. The TORC track builders created a layout that consisted of high speed jumps, moguls, whoops, and a table top jump that really created a true "chunk of Baja."

The early practice session saw Mike and his crew experiment with different grooving patterns on the newly acquired project tires from General Tire. During the final practice session a rear brake hub broke putting the crew "against the clock" to get the AMSOIL/General Tire  Chevy ready for the Friday qualifying session.

The quick work of Matt and Brian had the all-black bodied #80 PRO-2WD truck ready for its qualifying run. After the six laps were complete, Mike Oberg was sixth fastest PRO-2WD truck. Thanks to the starting inversion, this put Mike on the front row for the start of the eighteen lap race.

The excitement that comes with anticipation of the first race of a new season was heightened as the evening's racing would be broadcast live on SPEED. The first race of the year would have one of the largest audiences of the year thanks to the coverage of the premier motorsports television network.

Friday - Round One

Starting from the pole position, Mike Oberg was optimistic about his chances to finish on the podium. When the green flag was waved, it was an all out sprint to the first infield turn. Immediately Mike realized the truck needed more forward bite coming out of the tight infield corners. With that said Mike persevered through the eighteen lap race, stayed out of trouble and finished in sixth place.

"We didn't have any time to test with our new tire supplier General Tire before tonight's race, so we are still learning how to tune the truck to the tires," noted Mike Oberg. "The tires from General Tire are proven winners; we just need a little more track time."

With that said, Oberg Motorsports went to work the next morning making shock adjustments.

Saturday - Two

Once again the starting grid had Mike Oberg on the pole position due to TORC inverting the top six finishers from Friday night. This time when the race started the #80 AMSOIL/General Tire Chevy grabbed the early lead. Then on lap thirteen while battling with CJ Greaves for the third spot, the General Tire Chevy got sideways in the whoop section and eventually rolling over landing on its roof. A small fire broke out, but the USAC and Charlotte track safety crews were quickly on the scene putting out the fire and getting Mike safely out of the truck without any injury.

"The truck was hooking up much better tonight and after the first lap I knew we could run up front all night," commented Mike Oberg. "I just got crossed up going through the whoops and ignored my better judgment and didn't let up. I'm fine. The truck's fine. We'll just get back to Wisconsin, get some testing in, and prepare for Red Bud."

You can watch a replay of all the Round 2 action:  

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/22027949