The grueling 549-mile race course, which traverses desolate desert expanses as well as high mountain passes, posed little threat for the experienced duo. And by race mile 375, the team grabbed a death grip on the lead and never let loose. With 40 miles from the finish, after enduring seemingly bottomless silt beds and treacherous rock gardens, the No. N5 THR Motorsports Kawasaki amassed a 1.5-minute lead and worked its way toward a historical finish as it ascended the altitude of the Northern Nevada finish line.

The No. 1565 Class 1500 THR Motorsports entry was not as fortunate. Going into the longest desert off-road race in the United States with a notably successful season in its wake and after having captured a huge victory at SNORE Mint 400 race, the THR Motorsports effort, spearheaded by ace driver Mikey Childress and co-driver Travis "Clamp-it" Howard , succumbed to a blown torque converter seal after qualifying with fifth-fastest off the line on Wednesday in a heavily weighted field of competition.