Bronco DR Wins Class 8000, Bronco Raptor Takes Stock Mid-Size, and Bailey Cole Secures 4600 Stock Class Victory

Aug 20, 2024
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The Ford Bronco lineup delivered a commanding performance at the 2024 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno race, with victories across multiple classes that highlight the strength and versatility of the Bronco platform and the Ford Performance commitment to pushing the boundaries of global off-road excellence.

From the purpose-built Bronco DR to the stock-class Bronco Raptor and 4600 Ford Bronco, the Best in the Desert race showcased how the Bronco’s off-road DNA translates seamlessly from the production line to the podium, and runs through every Bronco that Ford builds. 

Bronco DR Secures Victory in Class 8000

Leading the charge was the Ford Bronco DR, piloted by Brad Lovell and Jason Hutter, which took top honors in Class 8000 and marked the tenth win for Ford Performance and Lovell Racing/Fire Guys Racing. The duo split driving duties over the grueling 550-mile course across Nevada's most punishing terrain. The DR, powered by a Coyote 5.0 V8, was ahead of expected pace for much of the race to deliver back-to-back wins following its competition debut in Baja. It is the first-of-its-kind production and purpose-built off-road desert racing vehicle, available through Multimatic.

"Parts are a hundred miles an hour out there," said Hutter at the finish. "There's ditches, there's everything. All the rocks at the end - and this thing just cruised right through all of it. It was bad-ass. What an honor to drive this DR, and to drive with Brad."

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Bronco Raptor Claims Top Honors in Stock Mid-Size Class

In the stock mid-size vehicle class, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy took the win with their Bronco Raptor, further solidifying its reputation as the ultimate stock off-road vehicle. Fresh off a first-in-class finish at the 2023 Baja 1000, the Bronco Raptor’s success in Vegas to Reno underscores its capability to tackle the most challenging conditions straight from the factory. The advanced suspension, rugged design, and EcoBoost engine provided Gittin Jr. and Healy a seamless raceday.

"The Bronco Raptor is so impressive,” said Gittin Jr. “Considering how stock this Bronco Raptor is and knowing what we threw at it for over 550 miles is a huge testament to the strength, durability and fun that the Bronco platform offers to its customers. We did the entire race in the same Baja Goat mode that I run in my personal Bronco. Earning the win is awesome but the fun and experience we had while doing it was epic!

Bailey Cole Dominates 4600 Stock Class

Bailey Cole’s first-place finish in the 4600 stock class with his JEGS 4600 Ford Bronco capped off a strong day for Ford Performance and Bronco. Cole’s victory followed stock class wins earlier this year at the Ultra 4 Series’ King of the Hammers and NorCal Stampede. Cole’s expert wheeling paired with the Bronco's capabilities were instrumental in securing the win. John Williams III and the Ford Performance Racing School 4600 Bronco finished second.

The Bronco Platform: Stock to Top

Bronco’s prowess in stock form in off-road competition directly connects to the capabilities of the production vehicles available to consumers. Whether tackling the trails on a weekend adventure or conquering a desert race, customers can experience the same rugged capability that wins races like Vegas to Reno.

Ford Performance Dedicated to Off-Road Excellence

Ford Performance continues to blaze a global trail in off-road competition, from the Australian Outback's Tatts Finke Desert Race Ranger Raptor victory, to the 2025 Dakar Rally efforts with the Ford Raptor T1+, to the North American competition efforts with Bronco, and every path in between.