We are deeply saddened over the death of offroad racing champion Rick Huseman, our teammate and close friend, and his brother Jeff Huseman. We were very proud, and honored to have a teammate such as Rick, one so much like Johnny himself, who put everything he had out on the track each and every time. These same qualities created numerous race battles between them, but off the track, they kept a close friendship that only two race champions could appreciate and respect! We will miss you Rick, off and on the race track. Short course off road will not be the same without you!
Our condolences go out to Michelle, and little Ricky, and the entire Huseman family.
Memorial information can be found on rickhusemanracing.com.
Johnny Claims Runner-up Spot for 2011 Pro-4 Class, CJ Greaves Wins Inaugural Traxxas Pro Light Cup Race, Hart Runs Strong in Both Races
October 18, 2011 (Abrams, WI)--The Off Road Championship's season finale took place this past weekend at Cycle Ranch in Floresville, not far from San Antonio, Texas. The red dirt of the converted motocross track proved it was not used to 4 wheels because a lot of trucks were bicycling the entire weekend--making for some very exciting racing. Johnny Greaves came into the weekend clinging to a narrow 4 point lead over Ricky Johnson in the Pro-4 class and eager to take home another championship. CJ and Marty, both wrapping up their first year in the Pro Light and Pro 2WD class respectively, were hoping to have good races to build on for next season.
The championship would elude Johnny. Ricky Johnson and Johnny started on the front row for the first race and battled nose to tail for a classic JG/RJ battle the entire race. Johnny passed RJ to go for the bonus points for leading at the midway point of the race. But RJ passed him back in the next turn to collect the points. Greaves finished 2nd rendering them dead even in the points. Post race, Johnny was feeling good about his chances for Sunday having pulled the fastest lap time, earning his 5th Oakley Bomb Award for Monster Energy/ ReadyLift/ GearUp2Go.com/ Maxxis Tire and Toyota.
FULL STORYJohnny, Marty, CJ Podium at Route 66 Raceway, Johnny Clings to Narrow Points Lead, CJ Clinches Back-to-Back Super Buggy Championship!
Abrams, WI (Sept 19, 2011)—The Off Road Championship headed to the Route 66 Raceway at Chicagoland Speedway, in Joliet, IL for a rare midweek race on September 14th and 15th. The Wednesday evening race was streamed live on USAC's USTREAM channel while the Thursday race was broadcast live on SPEED TV.
CJ strapped into his Pro Light truck first on Wednesday evening for the under the lights race. CJ found himself in the lead early, but problems by Casey Currie stopped the race. When the green flag flew once again, CJ powered ahead to maintain his lead for the next 4 or 5 laps with RJ Anderson on his bumper in 2nd and Brad Lovell in 3rd feeling pressure from Sam Hubinette. Anderson got a run on CJ and passed him heading into the back stretch. Greaves and Anderson pulled away from the field and CJ wisely backed off to save his truck for the second half of the race. Lovell would eventually role his truck as did Hubinette just as he crossed the start/finish line to take the mandatory caution at the midway point. Andrew Caddell got a great restart and pushed past CJ to take over 2nd. The top 3 ran bumper to bumper until the end of the race. CJ and Caddell went side-by-side but Caddell prevailed. On the white flag lap, Shawn Morris had a vicious role-over bringing out a full-course caution. At first it looked like it would be a green/white restart, but USAC changed it to a yellow/checkered flag—ending the race in the order prior to the caution—RJ Anderson, followed by Caddell, and CJ landing his 3rd podium of the year.
FULL STORYBig House, Big Races, Big Success! G-Team Loads Up the Podium with 6, Earns Points Lead in 2 Classes
Abrams, WI (September 13, 2011)—10's of thousands of crazed off-road racing fans made their annual pilgrimage to fabled Crandon International Raceway for the Brush Run Races that have been held there for more than 50 years. With the pit area packed with people and the festive atmosphere, Johnny Greaves Motorsports tried to stay focused on race preparation that would include a make-up round on Friday from the first Crandon race. Rain would again be a threat, but the famed track crew of Crandon kept the track in good racing condition the entire weekend. When the long Labor Day weekend ended, Johnny had a pair of second place finishes, a 3rd in the Amsoil Cup, and grabbed the Pro 4x4 points lead; Marty had earned his first podium with a third place finish on Friday; CJ took a commanding points lead in the Super Buggy with 1st-2nd-4th place finishes and showed a lot of strength in the Pro Light class.
FULL STORYThe Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Mixed Emotions with Wins and Near Misses for G-Team
Abrams, WI (August 15, 2011)—The Monster Energy/Toyota/Maxxis team of Johnny Greaves, Marty Hart, and CJ Greaves headed to the familiar territory of Bark River International Raceway this past weekend for rounds 7 and 8 of the TORC Series. Johnny, Marty and CJ have all enjoyed a lot of success at this track located in the Upper Peninsula of Mich. There will only be one race held at Bark River this year so the G-Team was revved-up and ready to take on their respective classes. The record crowd witnessed some exciting racing as well as some ugly incidents on and off the track.
Johnny Greaves ended the weekend with a win on Saturday and a controversial 5th place on Sunday. He took a couple of Oakley Bomb awards, breaking the track record in the process. Marty would have his best showing with a 4th place finish on Saturday. Sunday he led a good portion of the race only to be involved in a freakish crash with the front running Chad Hord. CJ Greaves dominated the Super Buggy class with 2 wins and a 2nd place on the weekend. In his Pro Light program, he podiumed for the second time this year in the Sunday race with a 3rd place finish.
FULL STORYCharlotte Beats Up the G-Team, Johnny Wins Saturday Race in Nail Biter Over Ricky Johnson
Abrams, WI (July 24, 2011)—The Off Road Championship took the short-course off-road racing experience to the Eastern side of the U.S., to Charlotte Motor Speedway's dirt track this past Friday and Saturday night. The NASCAR stomping ground was converted to whoops, jumps and rhythm section, all crammed inside of a half-mile oval. The pro class teams made their way to the east coast to introduce this sport to racing fans in the South, where oval dirt tracks and NASCAR are a way of life. Those that attended were blown away by this high-powered sport and wished more people could have had the same experience. Johnny would get his second win of the season on Saturday night in an epic battle with Ricky Johnson.
The Friday night races were unkind to the entire Greaves team. CJ Greaves broke a rear wheel hub due to contact in the early goings while trying to work his way to the front. He exited the race around lap 5. Marty started up front, but would also break early, losing his drive shaft due to the rough track. Johnny had issues too. He had a great start and battled up front all the way through 2 laps after the mid-race competition caution only to have his transmission, losing 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. He finished the race however, salvaging as many points as possible.
The team regrouped for Saturday night's races. The southern humidity was something the teams were not use to. But they worked through the night to get the trucks ready.
FULL STORYCJ Greaves Goes 1 and 2 in Antigo, Super Buggy Points Race Tightens
Abrams, WI (July 11, 2011)—The Off Road Championship (TORC) Series Sportsman class headed to Antigo, WI, located just south of Crandon for rounds 5 and 6 this past weekend. TORC also planned to make-up the rounds 1 and 2 races from Red Bud, MI, which were rained out. These races were slated for Sunday, but they were once again postponed due to rain.
CJ Greaves, the defending Super Buggy Champion, was looking to improve on his second place finish in the only Super Buggy race at Crandon. He squeezed out another second place podium spot on Saturday and hit the top spot on Sunday for his first win of the season. He narrowed the points gap between he and front runner, Larry Job, to a 1 point margin.
In the Sunday race, CJ and Job started on the back row due to an inversion based on points. CJ drove his number 33 Traxxas/ Monster Energy/Maxxis/Oakley sponsored buggy through the field along with Job to the front in just a couple laps. They tandem caught John Frana, who had started from the pole position. At the competition caution, it was Frana, Job and CJ leading the pack. As the three racers pulled away from the field by a sizable margin, Frana lost a wheel that took him out of the competition. CJ tried to no avail to pass Job and settled for the runner-up podium position.
FULL STORYJohnny Greaves Breaks Crandon Track Record in Winning Effort
Maxxis Tires Gets First Pro-4 Win
Hart and CJ Looking Strong, Claim First Pole Positions
Abrams, WI (June 20, 2011)—Anxious to head to more familiar territory and a dryer track, Johnny Greaves motorsports knocked the mud and frustration off of their respective trucks and stormed into Crandon International Raceway this past Father's Day weekend.
After rain earlier in the week, the track crews worked hard and had the track in near perfect racing condition for qualifying on Friday. But with gray skies looming, everyone was hoping to get Saturday's race underway, unencumbered by the extra weight of mud. A man building a large wooden boat near the track with animals lined up by it didn't help the feelings of the Crandon faithful.
When the dust settled on Saturday, Johnny had broken the Pro-4 track record and claimed his first victory of the season for Monster Energy/ ReadyLift/ GearUp2Go.com/ Maxxis Tire and Toyota as well as the Oakley Bomb Award. This was Maxxis Tires first Pro-4 win, proving they are a force to contend with in the Pro-4 class. Unfortunately, Sunday's race had to be canceled due to rain.
FULL STORYMother Nature Drowns 2011 TORC Series Season Opener at Red Bud, CJ Lands Podium in First Pro Light Weekend
Abrams, WI (May 31, 2011)—Johnny and CJ Greaves excited about defending their championships and Marty Hart, the 2010 Lucas Series Pro Lite Unlimited champion ready to move up to the Pro-2 class, all headed to Red Bud MX park to kick-off the 2011 TORC Series season this past weekend. Mother Nature did not cooperate however and dealt the series, the fans and the drivers a soggy blow as multiple storms rolled across the southern tip of Lake Michigan the entire weekend. This included tornado warnings and heavy downpours that rendered the track and grounds into a muddy mess.
Safety became an issue in the muddy conditions since the safety crews could not get to stuck or crashed vehicles. TORC/USAC officials looked high and low for ways to get the races in and in the process, made a few calls that added to the confusion.
The Pro Light Truck class was able to get in two races, but the Pro-4's and Pro-2's had to settle for one race each. CJ Greaves, the defending Super Buggy champ in his first Pro Light racing weekend, showed everybody that he is a contender in whatever he is driving. As soon as the green flag flew, CJ took his Traxxas/ Monster Energy/Maxxis/Oakley Toyota to the lead and held it through the mandatory caution in the Sunday race. Veteran racer, Samuel Hubinette, in his first TORC series race, discovered that the younger Greaves knew where the good lines were. He began to follow CJ's lead and eventually began to catch up to him.
FULL STORYGreaves Ready for 2011 TORC Season | VIDEO
Greaves, Hart Flex Muscles in Lucas Series in Surprise, AZ with Strong Showing
Temecula, CA (April 19, 2011)—The Johnny G Motorsports team of Johnny Greaves, Marty Hart and CJ Greaves headed to Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, AZ, for rounds 3 and 4 of the Lucas Off Road Racing Series this past weekend to mix it up with packed fields of drivers in their respective classes. All three drivers had strong showings and took their turns leading races, only to suffer mechanical problems that dashed their chances of taking their first wins of the season.
Johnny Greaves, starting from the front row, punched his #16 Monster Energy/ ReadyLift/ GearUp2Go.com/ Maxxis Tire clad Toyota to the lead on lap one. He lead the entire Pro-4 class race on Saturday, only to suffer a fuel cell issue that dropped him out of the race with only 2 laps to go.
Marty would have a similar fate. He also rolled his Maxxis Tires off from the front row of the Pro-2 class and dominated all the way to the closing laps. Hart, the reigning Pro Lite Champion, dominated the field through most of the race until a late race red flag temporarily stopped the race. Hart held off the pack as the laps wound down. It looked like he would claim his first Pro-2 victory, but contact with Rob MacCachren on the last lap took out his steering and he was unable to complete the lap.
FULL STORYGreaves, Hart Stretch Legs in Lucas Season Opener, Prepare for TORC Series
WATCH VIDEO!
Temecula, CA (March 21, 2011)—Johnny Greaves and Marty Hart loaded up and headed to Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix, AZ, for the Lucas series' opening rounds of racing this past weekend. Johnny enters the 2011 season looking to write yet another chapter in his legendary Pro-4 career while Marty, also touting a highly successful career with more than 105 major victories, looked to perform well in his first time out in a Pro-2. The Lucas race was a great opportunity for the team to check out their respective Monster Energy Toyota Tundras and, like wearing a new pair of shows, see how the new MAXXIS tires would perform.
Both experienced ups and downs throughout the weekend. Johnny, after suffering a flat tire on Saturday due to some contact, placed 9th in a field of 15 trucks. He was looking strong and led a number of laps in the first half of the race before the flat. On Sunday, he regrouped to take a close second place podium finish. Marty, while patiently feeling out the competition, managed to work his way up to fourth place in a field of 25 racers on Saturday, but had to leave the race late having suffered a mechanical problem. On Sunday, he relentlessly fought his way back to the front several times and ended the race with an impressive 5th place finish.
FULL STORYNew Team, New Designs, New Tires—Fuels Confidence as Greaves Team Preps for 2011 Season
Temecula, CA (March 9, 2011)—The Johnny G Motorsport team of Johnny Greaves and Marty Hart had their first test session of 2011 this past week. The week began with crew members, Curt Greaves and Brad Marty arriving at the shop in Temecula on Tuesday. Taking a day to do a once over inspection on the newly redesigned Pro 4X4, the crew then hit the road again for a two day test at Glen Helen Raceway, along with TRD and the new addition of Maxxis tires.
The goal was to shake down the P-4 for a couple hours, and then be ready to lay down laps hard by the afternoon. In Marty's case it was all about getting track time, and getting him comfortable in his new Monster Energy Maxxis Toyota P-2. By the end of the day, Johnny and Marty were both feeling confident in their new rides, and felt ready to really put the new Maxxis tires to the test.
FULL STORYTeam ReadyLIFT® Racing Introduces A Power Packed Racing Program For 2011
For the first time Team ReadyLIFT® Racing will have a presence in the Midwest TORC series. But not just any presence. We have a wrecking ball presence in 2011 as ReadyLIFT® has become sponsor partners with the legendary and highly respected Johnny Greaves and his Johnny G Motorsports. Greaves, the 2010 TORC Pro 4 Champion, brought in the hired gun of all hired guns with ReadyLIFT® sponsored LOORRS Unlimited Pro Lite Champion Marty Hart to drive the JGM Pro 2 Toyota in the TORC series, an epic opportunity Hart couldn't pass up. Both Monster Energy-backed Toyota's of Marty Hart and Johnny Greaves (Pro 4) will fly the ReadyLIFT® logo in bold fashion in front of tens of thousands of fans throughout the Midwest. And with such a strong ReadyLIFT® distribution network through the Midwest, this tandem relationship will yield great branding opportunities.
FULL STORYJohnny Greaves Sponsored by Maxxis in 2011
2/28/2011— Johnny Greaves will ride Maxxis for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The off-road racing legend recently signed a sponsorship deal with the company, joined by Monster Toyota teammates Marty Hart and Greaves' son C.J.
Greaves, who will compete in the full TORC season and selected LOORRS races this year, is pleased with his new sponsor. "The Monster Toyota team is excited and proud to be a part of Maxxis. I'm just really excited about it," he said. "Maxxis is fairly new to the whole off-road racing market, and with the development of the project tire, it just opened up a whole new opportunity. I've always been friends with some of the people there, and I couldn't wait to be a part of the Maxxis family. I was impressed with the way they operate. They researched everything real well and came out of the box ready to win. It's the way my team operates. We prepare, and we come out prepared to win."
FULL STORYCJ Greaves Honored with Prestigious Dirt Sports Magazine's 2010 Rookie of the Year Award
Temecula, CA (February 9, 2011)—CJ Greaves continues to add to his list of accomplishments in his young racing career by receiving Dirt Sports Magazine's 2010 Rookie of the Year Award. CJ was presented the award on February 5, 2011, in the Monster Energy pavilion at the Anaheim Supercross in front of a host of sponsors, dignitaries, and other invited guest for the event. CJ was selected from drivers in the entire off-road motorsports industry. Greaves received a specially engraved Oakley watch, a pair of custom designed Oakley/Dirt Sports sunglasses, an embroidered Oakley jacket, a glass plaque, and several other honorariums from Traxxas and other sponsors.
CJ Greaves made his debut as a professional racer in The Off Road Championship (TORC) Series in 2010. He proceeded to take the championship in the Super Buggy class at the age of 15, making him the youngest driver in history to win a short-course racing championship. He won 5 races and landed on the podium in 10 of the 12 rounds of racing. CJ also competed in the Super Lite class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) and ended the year third place, with 2 wins and 7 podiums.
"We are very proud of CJ," said his mom," Kathy Greaves. "CJ has grown up in this sport and we are excited about Dirt Sports giving him this great honor. This is a highly sought after award that will look great on his racing resume. Johnny and I really appreciate Dirt Sports for recognizing CJ and awarding him this great award."
Dirt Sports Magazine is recognized as the leading publication servicing the off-road industry. It is a progressive, multi-media communications business providing full market coverage to more than 1.8 million off-road enthusiast per year. Currently the company includes the print magazine, DirtSportsNation.com (offering a digital version of the print magazine), Off-Road Industry print magazine, and OffRoadIndustry.com. This is the 7th year they have awarded off-road racing standouts from short-course racing, desert racing, rock crawling, ATV/UTV, and other off-road motorsports.
CJ is the son of off-road racing legend, Johnny Greaves. The younger Greaves plans to move up to the Pro Light Truck class in 2011 while at the same time, defending his championship in the Super Buggy class.
The official story about CJ's award will be published in the February issue of Dirt Sports Magazine and on their website: www.DirtSportsNation.com. Follow Johnny Greaves, CJ Greaves and Marty Hart at www.JohnnyGreaves.com as the 2011 TORC Series season gets underway on April 30th at Cycle Ranch in San Antonio, Texas.
FULL REPORTChampions Team Up! Pro-Lite Champion Marty Hart to Join Johnny Greaves' Monster Energy Toyota Short Course Racing Team for 2011
Temecula, CA (February 1, 2011)—Johnny Greaves announced today that veteran off-road racer and Ready Lift backed champion Marty Hart would be racing his Pro-2 Monster Energy Toyota truck in the Traxxas TORC Series in 2011 while Greaves will continue his quest to dominate the Pro 4 class.
"Marty has won races and championships in so many different vehicles and off-road formats that his resume is very impressive at any level," stated Greaves. "We have been testing together and I realized that Marty has the skills to win against a stellar bunch of contenders in the TORC series. Marty is a great addition since he brings so much experience to the crew from a mechanical and testing standpoint in addition to driving the wheels off this Toyota Pro 2."
This team is sure to make the competition sweat since Greaves won the TORC Pro 4 title in 2010 and Hart won the 2010 Pro-Lite title in the Lucas Oil Series with a third place in the TORC Series. Greaves is the winningest driver in Pro 4 history and Hart has over 105 titles to his credit, including a Baja title and many ATV titles. Hart is pretty excited to joining-up with legendary driver Greaves and Monster Energy Toyota.
"I had several options this year, but this opportunity really stood out," said a happy Marty Hart from his Columbia, Louisiana base. "Johnny and Curt Greaves always have one of the best run programs in all of professional racing and I am honored to get to race that Toyota Pro 2 sitting in his garage. I know it will be fast so I'm getting ready to do my part. It's going to be fun."
FULL REPORTKawasaki Teryx Battle of the Builders
Watch the top off-road custom builders, including Johnny Greaves, take on the challenge of building the baddest Kawasaki Teryx, against the heavy competition and rough desert terrain. Check out the entire build in the Feb/March issue of UTV Off-Road Magazine. Johnny Greaves can be seen in the video at the 2:27 and 3:56 mark.
WATCH VIDEOCJ Greaves Ends Rookie Season on High Note with a Podium, Top Three in Points for the Year!
Temecula, CA (December 15, 2010 ) —CJ Greaves winding down his stellar rookie season with a trip to Firebird International Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, AZ this past weekend in the Lucas series Super Lite class for the final races of the season. Five drivers entered the weekend still in the hunt for the championship. CJ was sitting in third place with only 25 points separating him from first place.
After qualifying third on Friday, CJ was looking very competitive for round 15 racing on Saturday. When the green flag flew, he wasted no time powering his #33 Traxxas/ Monster Energy/ Oakley/ FoxShox/ BFGoodrich sponsored truck to the lead on the first lap. He held the top spot the entire first half of the race leading up to the competition caution and looking very strong. Kargola, LeDuc, Kirchner, and George finished out the top five.
Kyle LeDuc was able to pass CJ a few laps into the second half of the race. He was holding tight to the second spot when bad luck struck. CJ’s motor stalled and he was unable to re-fire it as the entire field passed him with only 2 laps to go.
In spite of the disappointing finish on Saturday, he was able to finish out the season with an impressive third place in the standings.
"The Super Lite trucks are a lot of fun to drive," said CJ following the race. "It has been an awesome year racing these trucks and the buggies. It has been a learning experience that I hope will get me ready for next year in the Pro Light Truck class."
Round 15 was not the only race of the weekend for CJ. He headed back to the grid once again on Sunday for the all-or-nothing season finale Challenge Cup Race with a $20,000 purse on the line as extra incentive.
CJ picked up where he left off on Saturday before the bad luck struck. He worked his way into the top three where he battled throughout the race. With nothing to loose and a nice paycheck to gain, the racers were wild and reckless!
A big pileup between Jacob Person, Brandon Ward, and Jeff Kargola in turn three resulted in a full course caution early in the race. Kargola was able to continue, but Ward was not. The carnage continued throughout the race. CJ was sitting in second place as the yellow flag flew for the competition caution. Kyle LeDuc continued to lead leaving Chad George and CJ to duke it out for second. George would eventually pass Greaves’ #33 truck. LeDuc was able to hold off George and a surging Greaves to take the win. CJ Greaves would round out the podium in third, bringing home a nice Christmas bonus check for $4000!
Be sure to follow Johnny and CJ Greaves as they prepare for the 2011 Season. Greaves Motorsports will once again field a Pro-4 and Pro-2 truck as well as the Super Buggy. They will add a Pro Light Truck to the mix. See all the latest developments at JohnnyGreaves.com.
FULL REPORT
