Falken Nabs 7 Total Podiums In GAS Series Finals

GAS Hysteria

Three of Team Falken’s drivers competing in the Great American Shortcourse (GAS) Finals at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds combined for a total of seven top finishes when the races were done and the series called it a season.

 
Brian Cannon, running his four-cylinder Mini Open pickup against a number of ULTRA4 and Open V8-powered competitors was like David vs. Goliath, but the driver knew what he had throughout the weekend. Though mechanical gremlins discouraged a top finish, Cannon came into the Finals already the Mini Open point series champion, so the crown was always going to be his no matter what happened in Victorville.
 
“We had a great first season in the new 4-cylinder Pro Lite,” Cannon noted. “Our Falken tires were hooking up and digging great every race and we did not have any problems as a result with the track surfaces. 
 
“We ran a couple of rounds with the V8 trucks and were able to not only keep up with them, but in Rounds 3 & 4, we swept the weekend,” Cannon added. “Despite a lost belt in the final rounds, we secured enough points to take the championship for the Mini Open class. The team and I worked hard and I’m really proud of them, and my family, for all the hard work put in all season to keep this truck on the right path. I also want to thank Falken Tires for all their support.”
 
Running in the Pro Buggy class on Wildpeak A/T3W tires, Falken driver Matt Brister was in the hunt for his series championship as the weekend began. Earning the pole for Saturday’s race was a good indication of where he was heading. Though the mandatory caution at midway briefly set him back, Brister quickly moved back to the front and finished first by three car lengths.

However, with a close points race, Brister needed to win on Sunday to secure the championship. Fate did not play out as hoped as engine issues restricted him to a third-place finish. Nevertheless, the driver was able to earn second place in the GAS series points race for Pro Buggy.
 
“Thank you, Falken Tires, for being in my corner for the balance of this year,” Brister said. “Running on another tire brand at the start of the season, I went from getting a flat every weekend to not getting any flats and being able to trust my tires to do anything. Seriously, my Falkens are the strongest tires out there.”
 
Finally, Veteran Falken driver Troy Cox had an impressive weekend. Running 800 horses in his Pro 2 truck and Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires, he started Saturday’s race in sixth, but moved aggressively through the pack and quickly found himself in third. The mandatory caution put a damper on further aggressive moves and Cox remained in that position through the balance of the first race.
 
However, recharged for Sunday, Cox started on pole and never looked back, winning wire-to-wire and taking the victory. He scored enough points to finish third in the Pro 2 Driver’s Championship.
 
“That’s two wins and two thirds in the races, one driver’s championship and second and third places in two other driver’s championships,” stated Doug Fletcher, Falken’s Supervisor, Light Truck and Off-Road Events. “Overall, I’d say that was a pretty good outcome and a very nice end to another great GAS season.
 
“I’m very proud of our drivers and all of the crew at Falken,” he added. “Victorville is close to Falken’s headquarters, so we had a lot of folks turn out for a fun and exciting weekend. The season finals always mean so much to every competitor and for everyone at Falken as well as we’re all very tied to the success of those who race on our tires. We can’t wait until 2023.”
 
The first GAS round of the new year begins at the annual King of the Hammers event Feb. 6, 2023, in Johnson Valley, CA.