Defending Pro Spec champion aims to extend perfect podium record so far in 2023
2022 Championship Off-Road Pro Spec champion Gray Leadbetter will take an all-new look to the track in her next event behind the wheel of the #28 Bilstein Chevrolet Colorado for Ryan Beat Motorsports. For this weekend’s ERX Off-Road National at ERX Motor Park, Leadbetter’s truck will carry a striking new look that raises breast cancer awareness and pays tribute to survivors.
“I couldn’t be happier with how my truck came out for this weekend,” said Leadbetter. “This one means a lot to me as many women in my life have fought the battle of breast cancer, especially my mom. She is one of the strongest people I know after defeating it twice. Now it’s time to give it some great runs at ERX, keep building on our momentum, and get back on top of the box!”
Leadbetter’s new look for the weekend follows in the footsteps of team owner Ryan Beat, whose Pro 2 also got a refresh for ERX. Both trucks feature elements of the iconic Chevy Thunder paint schemes that dominated off-road racing for years in some of the sport’s glory days. The stylized pink and blue stripes on Leadbetter’s truck add an extra splash of color to the Pro Spec field, which has already put on some of the best racing in the series all season long.
The Minnesota track proved especially kind to Leadbetter last year, as she had one of her best events of her championship-winning season with a first and second place across the two days of racing. That’s a confidence booster for the 18-year-old driver, who has four podiums in four races so far to start the season and a nine-race streak of top-three finishes that dates back to last year’s visit to Dirt City Motorplex.
With a best lap time of 58.526, Leadbetter placed third on the time sheets in Thursday’s qualifying session. Her races will take place at 6:30PM on both Friday and Saturday night. Tickets remain available starting at $35 ($15 for kids), and for those who can’t make it to the track, live streaming of all race action will be available as always on FloRacing.
Gray Leadbetter’s 2023 Championship Off-Road program with Ryan Beat Motorsports is supported by Chevrolet, Bilstein, Pennzoil, Toyo Tires, Tremor Wheels, Steel-It, Sunoco Race Fuel, RIGID, Magnaflow, Mechanix Wear, FK Rod Ends, Hyperco, Brembo Brakes, Ehren, Fortin Racing, Fiberwerx, Automatic Transmission Design, Power Steering Solution, Geiser Performance, Antigravity Batteries, Hawk Performance, DS Customs, and Calico Coatings. Following ERX, her next race in the series will be the Dirt City Motorplex Off-Road National in Lena, Wisconsin on July 29-30.