Corry Weller started racing on a whim. Now she is in the middle of a 3-year plan to be crowned champion of the Pro 4 class in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series presented by GEICO.

Weller said she used to watch Supercross Series races and thought motocross racing looked like something she would enjoy. So when she was 29, with two children and a crumbling relationship, she bought a quadrunner instead of a motorcycle because she had learned there were races for quads, too.

The Chandler, Arizona, resident said initially "riding was my way to get out and clear my head and deal with the stress" in her life. In the process, however, she taught herself to ride on a race track, began competing on the local level and "met a lot of really good people, and it just built from there."

One of those good people was Jason Weller, her husband and crew chief. She said they met in 2002 and she has "been with him and with racing ever since." Don't ask how long they've been married, though, because Weller said she isn't sure. "I've got races on my calendar. I don't have anniversaries. My mom usually calls and reminds me," she said with a laugh.

Weller raced motocross for five years and moved into short-course off road racing on a UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) in 2008. She said the transition was a natural one for her career and also for Weller Racing, the business Jason has built into one of the leading UTV suppliers in the Southwest in part by developing the SR1 class.

Weller won the SR1 championship in 2011, the last time the class competed in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, and during that season she and Jason finalized the arrangements for a move into the Pro 4 class in a title-winning Ford truck leased from 6-time champion Carl Renezeder, whose team also supplied the crew. The Wellers have since purchased the truck and do everything on their own.

Corry said her goal had been to race a truck since seeing them for the first time left her "in awe," and once she reached that goal "I felt completely at home, like I was where I was supposed to be."

"It's gone pretty much exactly how I thought of it going," she said. "I've always had a 3-year plan. I knew the first year I just wanted get acquainted with the truck and the class, learn truck control and learn about the truck itself and how to crew it. I wanted to get on the podium (with a top 3 finish) and win Rookie of the Year and I did both. This year the goal is develop the truck and get it reliable and win a race and be in the top 3 (in the point standings).

"Next year, I want to win the championship."

CORRY WELLER AT A GLANCE

Age: 41 (16 August 1971)

Lives in: Chandler, Arizona

Marital status: Married; husband's name is Jason Weller. They have two children, Marlee and Matthew

Occupation: Professional racer

Races in: Pro 4 class

Car number: 18

Type of chassis: Ford

Engine: Kuntz Ford  

Crew Chief: Jason Weller

Sponsors: Optima Batteries, Tilted Kilt, LoanMart, Airaid, Maxxis Tires, Weller Racing

Years in racing: 13

Racing experience: Motocross 2001-2007, Short Course off-road since 2008

Championships and awards: Pro 4 rookie of the year, 2012; UTV SR1 champion, 2011; SR1 champion in Lucas Oil Regional Series, 2012

Series points standings: 7 (2012)