Mitchell DeJong and Team Speed Technologies/Bully Dog on Top in Arizona

Murrieta, California (October 21, 2009) – Rounds 9 & 10 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series stomped through Surprise, Arizona with Mitchell DeJong claiming a Sunday Round 10 Modified Kart victory and Fastest Qualifier for both days.

With the season winding down, Mitchell DeJong and the Speed Technologies/Bully Dog Super Kart team has been searching for a little luck to bring podium finishes home from the LOORS series. Mitchell has consistently driven around the competition to bring home Fastest Qualifier while breaking track records at all the tracks, but race day has thrown in some twists.

On Saturday, Mitchell drove his Yamaha powered Super Kart to number-one qualifier breaking the track record he previously set in May and securing the lead by over 0.788 seconds.

When the green flag dropped, Mitchell, from his inverted third start position, quickly passed 2nd and 1st, overtaking the lead. From there, the action started as Mitchell maintained the lead in front of the #550 of Conner Hart most of the race, until he felt a hit from the rear while entering Turn-1.

Mitchell commented, “I didn’t know there was damage to my wheel until I was coming out of the mogul section and tried to make turn 2, but my truck wasn’t handling like it usually does with my awesome Fox Racing Shox set up and I soon found out why, my rear tire had popped off! Before I knew it, I was losing speed so I just drove as fast as I could on 3 tires for the remaining 5 laps just to get the truck to the finish line.”

The contact caused the Speed Technologies/Bully Dog Super Kart to bend the rear wheel and unseating the tire. Mitchell relinquished his hard earned positions to settle for a 10th place finish of 17.

Sunday, Mitchell qualified first earning his 7th Pole-Position of 9 qualifying rounds in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series. It also marks him as the winningest top-qualifier for the complete Speed Technologies Off-Road Team.

Once again, Sunday’s inverted start placed Mitchell in the third starting position within a field of 18 highly competitive trucks. The DeJong Super Kart was ready for the challenge as Mitchell battled for a few laps to make the pass for second position. After making a brilliant pass, Mitchell maintained his speedy lines and chased down the leader.

For the next few laps, both racers were doing a great job racing door-to-door and keeping their lines without contact. Shortly after the white flag flew, the #550 truck turned into Mitchell. Now the great racing turned into a race for survival as each truck was locked together at their bumpers. As Mitchell was being driven off course, Mitchell quickly jerked the wheel breaking each truck loose. When the dust settled, the #524 Team Speed Technologies/Bully Dog came out ahead and took the checkered flag first.

Mitchell continues his 2009 race season this weekend as he travels to Las Vegas, Nevada for the final round of the TORC (The Off-Road Championship Series). He’s currently leading the series and looks to bring home the championship.

Mitchell would like to thank all of his sponsors: Speed Technologies, Bully Dog, DeJong Off-Road, Fox Racing Shox, Yamaha, Streight Edje, Simpson, Traxxas, T.E.C. , Amsoil, Eliminator Motorsports, and PayDirt Media. Visit www.MitchellDeJong.com for more information and to view the latest photos.