Obsession Racing Press Release 2012 #1

MENIFEE, CA – This New Year has new changes for Obsession Racing. It started off with having to replace the cradle for the Obsession frame. The truck was torn completely down in order to do the cradle replacement. This also gave us the opportunity to do a color change and have a new look for Obsession. The truck was completely unassembled by having the cradle replaced, frame supported, completely sandblasted all parts, rebuilt shocks and axles, paint and reassembled all in 28 days!! We didn’t see Rick or Eric outside of the shop but maybe only a few hours out of the day! EVEN on the Holidays! We were fortunate enough to have help from Mike Read from Superior Welding, Frank Schettini, Jimmy and Tom Lehnertz, Tom Read and Eric’s friends Kaya and Damon. We couldn’t thank these friends enough for putting in so many hours and even a couple of all nighters!

Unfortunately due to Jeff Jones job, he is unable to drive for Obsession Racing. We are sorry this happened but due to his high level position at AmeriGas it demands more of his time. When we got this news Jimmy Lehnertz stepped up to the plate for us. He had driven for us before when we had needed a driver. We are very blessed in having Jimmy drive for us. Jimmy is a long time friend and started driving Monster Trucks around the same time that we did. We feel confident in Jimmy driving abilities and are confident he will do a great job for Obsession Racing.

Our first show of 2012 was held at Anaheim Stadium for Monster Jam. This show was booked for both trucks. Rick was in Obsessed and Jimmy was in Obsession. Both of the guys handled the trucks great! Jimmy was third out for freestyle and did a phenomenal job! He was the first truck to sky it out! He cleared the bus length wise and kept the truck on four wheels, but unfortunately the four link bar bent and ended his freestyle early. Rick was seventh out in Obsessed. He must have had Wheaties for breakfast because he put on an incredible freestyle! He hit every obstacle at full force and finished up the show with his famous no handed donuts! He held the hot seat for the next six trucks! It was an amazing show! We owe a special thanks to Mike Read for the amazing shock set up which helped immensely!!

The following show was January 21st in San Diego also for Monster Jam. This event only had Obsessed booked for the show. Rick was piloting Obsessed. We were grateful that the rain stopped about 1:00 pm. The track crew did an awesome job preparing the track; however it was still a handful to race on. Rick went out fifth in Obsessed for freestyle and again put on another great show. He also got to be up in the hot seat once again! We had Eric friends Dad (Don Gladu) who is a fireman help crew for our team for the first time. It was great to have an extra set of hands and he said he never realized how much was involved! I think he had a good time!

On January 28th Obsessed was solely booked for another Monster Jam Show in Anaheim California. For this show Rick wanted to put on a good impression for Obsession Racing as the higher ups would all be there watching. He did just that! He put on another awesome freestyle pleasing all of the fans! He placed sixth out of sixteen trucks in freestyle. This is going to be a good year!!

We look forward to seeing more of our friends, fans and family in our upcoming events. Our next show will be in Portland Oregon with both Rick and Jimmy driving Obsessed and Obsession! See ya at the races!!

Photo credits to: Fred at Goldenstar Photography Suzie Pusteniak Dan Henley