Kyle LeDuc is trying something new this season. The reigning champion in the Pro 4 Unlimited class of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by Geico and a past champion in the Pro Lite Unlimited category, LeDuc this year has added Pro 2 Unlimited competition to his career resume.
LeDuc, 31, said he had "never sat in one, never even started one" during his 10 years racing in LOORRS and its predecessors. But his primary sponsor was interested in entering the Pro 2 class, and when all the talking was over LeDuc was driving the Monster Energy Ford for team owner Jeff Carpenter.
LeDuc said once that one of his strengths as a driver was "being able to drive anything to its absolute maximum. I can get out there and quickly focus on the things that matter and ignore the things that don't."
He demonstrated some of that ability at Las Vegas April 27-28, finishing 10th and 5th in the two rounds of racing after missing the season-opening event in Arizona in mid March. And now he has another title to pursue as he continues to live out a childhood dream.
"Our life was off-road stuff," said Kyle, who is the son of veteran racer Curt LeDuc and the younger brother of driver Todd LeDuc. "Every day at our house (in Cherry Valley, California) that's what was going on. But for us to ever grow up and get paid to do that is a kid's dream."
LeDuc knew it wasn't an impossible dream. He saw the trappings of success the top drivers enjoyed and knew it was attainable if there was someone to open a door and you were willing to work hard. Curt LeDuc opened the door, and he charged his sons to use it. The rule was that "if you want to race it, you have to build it," and that hasn't changed.
"We didn't have a free ticket," Kyle said. "It was a work thing. We had to want it enough to work at it. I've been absolutely hands on doing it."
KYLE LeDUC AT A GLANCE
Age: 31 (7-29-1981)
Lives in: Beaumont
Marital status: Engaged to Amber Mader; son Reed, 4 months
Occupation: Professional racer; fabricator
Car number: 99 in Pro 4; 98 in Pro 2
Type of chassis: Ford trucks
Engine: ProPower Ford
Crew Chief: Richard Holmes
Sponsors: Monster Energy Drink, Toyo Tires, Rigid Industries, K&N Air Filters, Kal Gard, King Shocks, Walker Evans Wheels, Wilwood Brakes, Fuel Safe, JE Reel, Sparco, RC10.com
Years in racing: 12 (was professional mountain bike racer before switching to off-road trucks)
Divisions raced: Pro Lite Unlimited, Pro 4, Pro 2
Championships won: Pro Lite, 2004; Pro 4, 2012
