Cooley Leads Team Competitive Metals to the Podium at Lucas Oil Off Road Season Opener

Rookie Driver Geoffrey Cooley piloted his no.22 Alumi Craft / Competitive Metals Pro-Buggy to a 5th place finish in Round 1 and battled for the win placing 3rd in Sunday's Round 2 of the season opening Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Firebird International Raceway. Cooley qualified with the fastest time of 44.548. He was the only driver to crack the 44 second mark. The team entered the event with a goal of just finishing the race and possibly getting into the top ten. But Cooley had bigger expectations as he raced in the lead pack competing against and beating some of the series long time veterans.

For teammates Justin "Bean" Smith (Pro-Lite) and Dave Mason Jr. (Pro-Buggy) the weekend was not as kind. Piloting the #84 Alumi Craft / Competitive Metals Pro-Lite "Bean" grabbed the early lead in the Saturday Round 1 event after qualifying 4th and being inverted to the pole, but fell off the pace after 4-laps due to a flat tire. He was able to salvage a 16th place finish. In Sunday's Round 2 "Bean" qualified 21st and gained five positions to finish 16th, but wasn't able to get the truck up front with having to battle traffic. Despite the rough start "Bean" showed signs of being a front runner. The team will turn their focus to Rounds 3 and 4 at Lake Elsinore, where they are likely to be a strong contender.

Dave Mason Jr. had a string of rough luck in his debut driving the #65 RigidDave Mason Jr Pro Buggy Industries / Competitive Metals Pro-Buggy. A computer issue with the engine led to a 22nd place starting position for Round 1. Mason drove hard fighting his way up through the field. He was caught in a mid air collision that left his right rear arm heavily damaged. Mason kept the car going and finished out the race with a 10th place result. After a long night of repairs Mason and his crew were ready for a new day of racing in Round 2. But once again a mechanical issue held him back to a 17th place qualifying spot. Mason was working his way up the field and had a good car until he was hit hard in the left front wheel. The wheel was barely hanging on but Mason continued getting his wounded race car to an 18th place finish.

Competitive Metals also rode on the no.91 Pro-2 Truck of Nick Tyree and Tyree Motorsports. Nick started Round 1 in 7th place and was quickly inside the top five early on in the race. He was scuffled back a few positions ending the day in 9th. For Round 2 Tyree started in the 10th spot and within a few laps was again inside the top 5. Tyree was showing he can compete with the big backed teams. Tyree ended the second round with another top ten bringing his Diffenbaugh Construction / PAC Springs / Competitive Metals truck home 9th in both rounds. Tyree Motorsports is one of the hardest working privateer teams in short course racing and they will be ready to go up against the higher budgeted competition in round 3 & 4 at Lake Elsinore.

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For more on the race event visit: www.LucasOilOffRoad.com

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Competitive Metals is a leading provider of metal products servicing California, Nevada and Arizona. Their products are made in the USA and meet the highest of quality standards. Competitive Metals stocks the most commonly needed materials for motorsports, construction, manufacturing and more. Products can be delivered to the race track, your business or customers can walk-in and hand pick from the large stock of products. No order is too small and no order is too large. Customers value Competitive Metals 50 plus years of combined product knowledge and unmatched customer service.