2016 Stadium Super Trucks Sand Sport Super Show September 17, 2016 Costa Mesa, CA

Rigid's Mike Gardner Took home $5,000 for the Win at the Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks UTV race at the Sand Sport Show

Held on a combined asphalt and dirt circuit, the event featured several big dirt jumps, and a dirt rhythm section. With WORCS running its first round since the summer break at nearby Glen Helen Raceway, its racers were featured among the field, which also included off road legend Robby Gordon. The participants were competing for the top prize: a $5,000 paycheck to the winner.

The race field was inverted for the 20 lap main, which gave Mike Gardner was on the front row

Qualifying was held on Friday with an LCQ on Saturday, and the field was inverted for a multi-row start in the 20-lap main. Gardner took the lead from the pole and was dominant at the start.

A full course caution on lap 10 bunched up the field and the race was on. Chris Mills, who started on the second row, was quickly on Gardner’s rear bumper and the two battled wheel to wheel and door to door for most the final 10 laps. Mills had several opportunities to crash Gardner for the victory, but he kept it clean and finished second. Myles Cheek was third.

Mike Gardner grabbed the early lead & quickly built a gap on the competition until the caution flag came out at the midway point of the race, which tightened up the racing field once again for the final 10 laps

“I think a trip to Vegas might be appropriate,” said Gardner with a laugh. “I was third in my heat, and due to the invert I ended up on the pole. The green flag waved, I got past the first turn and never looked back. At the end, though, I wasn’t hitting my lines the way I should and Chris let me know really quick. The last few laps were crazy because he’s a really good driver. He really could have punted me on those laps, but he’s a good buddy and I respect him. He ran a really clean race.”

The final 10 laps of the race kept the fans on the edge of their seats with Mike Gardner & Chris Mills running tire to tire battling for the win with Gardner holding off Mills for the big win

Gardner was impressed by the huge spectator turnout. He said he’s never experienced a podium celebration before like the one here. “I’ve never been in front of a crowd like this,” said Gardner. “It was really surreal. I got out of my vehicle and everyone was cheering and yelling. It felt like Supercross.”

Mills is a good friend of Gardner and he raced him with great respect and professionalism during the final laps. That said, he did think, briefly, about giving him a wheel. “I want Mike to know that his friendship is worth five grand to me,” said Mills. “Because on that last lap I was thinking I could take him out of the lead. He is such a good guy.”

Addict Racing's Chris Mills gave Gardner a run for his money & he kept it clean, which made for some great racing action for the fans

Mills was impressed with the event as a whole. He couldn’t believe the number of spectators in attendance. “Robby Gordon put on a great show,” said Mills. “This was so much fun. Coming out here from North Carolina, you see a different type of racing. It was asphalt and a little bit of dirt. To experience the crowd was awesome. I’ve never seen such a large group of people.”

Rounding on the top three was Myles Cheek who also raced earlier in the day at the Glen Helen WORCS race.

#957 Myles Cheek rounded out the top three

With top racers and a great show, next year’s event is certain to thrill.