Jordan Pellegrino takes 2nd in 4500 Modified at Glen Helen Grand Prix

Jordan Pellegrino, driving #4585, for Team GenRight in Modified 4500, swims through the wet corner at the end of the sand wash during Friday practice at Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, California.

The sixth running of the 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix brought more than 100 4wheel racers in five classes to Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. The racers set out to pursue personal bests and a $10,000 purse in this, the second event of the 2016 Ultra4 Trail Gear Western Regional Series.

Out in the clear during the main, Pellegrino could make excellent time and begin lapping the pack after the first few circuits of the course.

As the series’ final visit to Southern California for the year, the 4 Wheel Parts Grand Prix represents an opportunity for competitors to earn an invitation to the King of the Hammers event, as well as accumulate points toward the Nitto National Championship.

The grand prix format at Glen Helen combines short course, motocross, and enduro tracks and each competitor runs their own race under timing. Drivers are sent out in pairs at 5-second intervals. The winner is the driver who completes the most laps in that class' time frame.

In Friday practice, coming out of the tight s-turn at the end of the sand wash, the corners were especially wet and slippery which was a surprise, and sent some cars drifting around the first corner. Saturday qualifying, which was open to the public, was equally entertaining as a bit of attrition set in and the classes solidified for the main. The main had drier conditions, but was equally challenging for all.

The prelim on Saturday was the perfect opportunity for Pellegrino to get the feel for the track conditions and grooves. The confidence that he acquired boosted him to a second-place finish that day.

At end of the day, atop the podium in the 4400 Ultra4 class was Paul Horschel in car #19 completing 21 laps in 18:52:22 minutes. Among the Legends 4800s, it was Rick Waterbury in #444 with a time of 16:19:53 for 11 laps. The 4500 modifieds were led by Jordan Townsend in #4580, with a time of 15:10:23 for 11 laps followed closely by 17-year-old Jordan Pellegrino in #4585 at 15:10:44 for 11 laps. In the 4600 class it was Albert Contreras #4605 15:13:28 with 9 laps. And the UTV class (running together as one class this year) the winner was Shane Chiddix driving #7, completing 11 laps in 13:19:12.

Big air, big moves for 17-year-old Jordan Pellegrino as he motors to a solid second place Modified 4500 class finish in the June 10-11 4Wheel Parts Grand Prix at Glen Helen.

For second-place 4500 driver Pellegrino of Team GenRight, sponsored by K&N, this was an especially significant weekend. He placed second in qualifying out of a field of 16 cars registered to race in the 4500 class. With a very smooth run he did not have to push the car very hard to maintain position. Throughout the weekend the FOX suspension tuner worked to dial the King of the Hammers purpose-built car into short course-style track conditions.

Jordan Pellegrino shares smiles, exciting race moments, and thank yous for support from K&N for his second place in 4500 Modifieds at Glen Helen.

Pellegrino grabbed a second in the prelim race and prepped the car for the main with some minor shock changes. When the main came around, he started in the first row in the field of 13, with two cars starting every five seconds. By the end of the race he had lapped almost the entire field.

"We were pushing the car to the limits the entire race and it paid off," Pellegrino said. "We can’t wait to prep for the next race. Without support from companies like K&N this would not be possible."

Jordan's dad, Tony Pellegrino, founder of GenRight added, "He drove a great race, with lap times that would have put him in the top 15 in 4400 class. Debbie and I are very proud of him!"

For competitors participating in the Ultra4 National Championship Series, the next stop is June 24-25 at Badlands Off Road Park, Attica, Indiana, followed by Dirty Turtle Off-Road Park in Bedford, Kentucky on July 29-30.  As for Team GenRight, K&N will have their back as they solidify their plans to be in Reno at Wild West Motorsports Park by Oct. 21-22 for the series finale.