TORC PRO Lights Racer Andrew Carlson Crashes Out At ERX Motorpark in Elk River, MN

Andrew's flip caught on video shows him digging and executing a quarter flip, landing on his wheels

And it’s on familiar ground for Andrew that the race was held. His father, Chris, co-owns the ERX Motor Park facility, its one-mile track praised for its design including challenging terrain, use of natural elevation changes, a mixture of soils, and multiple lines. And for the TORC Series event, sand was blended into the soil to allow the surface to change and become more technical throughout the race.

Andrew qualified well, taking the outside pole beside Kyle Kleiman. Kyle got the jump on Andrew at the start, and the duo broke free from the field and proceeded to set and reset the fastest times of the race as they battled for position. Soon Andrew took the lead with a well-timed move to the inside line in the come-back turn after the finish line jump.

Andrew leading the field in his K&N Ford PRO Light truck at the ERX facility his father co-owns

Not giving up easily Andrew pressed hard right from the restart, diving deep into the corners while searching for the smallest of openings. Unfortunately, Andrew caught a rut on the entrance to the Talledega Turn and launched into a quarter-turn cartwheel. Though he landed on his tires and drove away, the truck was clearly tweaked, and missing most of its bodywork, and Andrew’s chance at another hometown win had ended.

“The braking bumps coming into that corner were huge,” said Andrew after the race. “I got a little aggressive coming in and caught a rut. I’m obviously disappointed, but we learn from our mistakes. We’ll go back to the hauler and regroup.”

The Carlson Moto team is seeking more podiums this season after Andrew's breakthough win last year

“We were racing about as tight as you could get,” Andrew explained. “My truck was working flawlessly. Whether I took the high line or protected the inside, it didn’t seem to matter, it would rotate and my Atturo tires would hook-up.”

Unfortunately, Andrew’s shot at redemption will have to wait another day. With a Sunday morning storm knocking out power to the track came safety concerns for racers and fans which prompted TORC Series officials to postpone the race.

In terms of the season-long points chase, Andrew leaves ERX fifth in points, but just three points out of third in a very tight grouping. Leading the PRO Lights points chase is Kyle Kleiman with brother Cody second. Chad Rayford is third with fellow K&N racer Cam Reimers in fourth.

Andrew and the Carlson Moto are now hard at preparations for Rounds Five and Six at the Big House Brawl at the famed Crandon, Wisconsin track.