SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com
April 2, 2023

‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’

Fueled by Baja Vida

‘The Luke’ McMillin repeats his Overall, SCORE Trophy Truck
win Saturday at King Shocks 36th SCORE San Felipe 250

SAN FELIPE, Baja California, Mexico –Picking up where he left off last year, San Diego’s defending race and season champion Luke ‘The Luke’ McMillin roared through the Baja desert to defeat a massive 285 starters in Saturday’s King Shocks 36th SCORE San Felipe 250, fueled by Baja Vida.
Luke McMillin, 30, drove solo to power his stunning No. 1 Mason-built all-wheel drive Chevy 1500 to lead the third-largest number of starters and finishers in race history to an awe-inspiring, error-free, penalty-free winning time of four hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds over the sun-drenched, rock-filled, silt-strewn 282.51 miles for a remarkable average speed of 62.91 miles per hour.
SCORE is ‘Celebrating 50 years of Desert Racing Excellence’ this year.
Under sunny skies, light winds, and mild temperatures in the mid-70s Fahrenheit and thousands of fans spread around the desert, McMillin had plenty of competition behind him in the superb field of 39 of the marquee SCORE Trophy Trucks and 285 starters, third-most in the 36-year history of the race. Ahead of him at the start line on El Malecon alongside the tranquil waters of the Sea of Cortez were fast qualifier Toby Price, second-qualifier Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, third-qualifier Bryce Menzies and he was fourth at the start.
Like they have several times, finishers called it “one of the most beautifully brutal courses ever” in the history of this race.
PODIUM FINISHERS
Second at the finish line after qualifying sixth was Mexico's Alan Ampudia, 32, of Ensenada, who ran a patient race, just under seven minutes behind 'The Luke,' driving his No. 10 Papas Y Beer Racing AWD Ford Raptor build by Mason Motorsports, in 4:36:43, with an average speed of 61.26mph.
Menzies, 35, won this race in 2021, was second in 2022 (to McMillin) and ended up finishing third in this race, driving his No. 7 Menzies Motorsports AWD Ford Raptor built by Mason Motorsports in 4:43:37, with an average speed of 59.77mph.
The first two SCORE Trophy Trucks all had average speeds of over 60mph.
LUKE TIME
Following in the dusty tracks of his grandfather Corky McMillin and his father Mark McMillin in desert racing, ‘The Luke,’ who qualified fourth, took the lead by race-mile 100 and didn’t look back. The first 100 miles was a battle as he eventually worked his way up to the top spot and charged to the finish line.
‘The Luke’ has diligently worked his was to the top of the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division he earned the No. 1 plate after winning last year’s season championship and now has five career SCORE Trophy Truck race wins including the SCORE San Felipe 250 the last two years.
After winning the SCORE Baja 1000 a record-tying three straight years in 2020 (splitting driving with Larry Roeseler) and 2021 and 2022 (splitting the driving with Rob MacCachren), he now has back-to-back wins in San Felipe, joining his grandfather, uncle Scott McMillin and cousin Andy McMillin with two overall wins each.
It was his third all-time class win in San Felipe. He also won in the unlimited Class 1 11 years ago when he was just 19 years old.
‘The Luke’, also has four career SCORE season point championships including 2020 and 2022 in SCORE Trophy Truck.
The victory also was the phenomenal 103rd SCORE Baja race win for his tire sponsor-BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 47 years.
DIRTTRAX
The colorfully challenging 282.51-mile race course started and finished and pre-race contingency was held on El Malecon in the SCORE start/finish line compound alongside of the picturesque Sea of Cortez.
The 285 starters represented 28 U.S. States, one U.S. Territory and 12 countries. In addition to the USA, U.S. Territory Puerto Rico, host country Mexico, entries came from Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Indonesia, New Zealand and Peru. Competition was held in 45 Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.
The rugged course closed in the elapsed-time race early Sunday morning. Following complete data tracking review later Sunday morning, the results were made official by SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva.
Besides the momentous 285 starters, there were and amazing 205 official finishers for an astonishing finishing rate of 71.93 percent.
All four 2023 SCORE races are being held on Mexico’s magnificent Baja California peninsula for the eighth consecutive year.
Helping mark the launch of the 50th year of SCORE International, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Organization with the race featured SCORE Trophy Truck division with a total of 39 of these race trucks (including eight in SCORE TT Legend for drivers over 50 years old) starting the race. Created by SCORE and started in 1994 by then SCORE-owner Sal Fish, SCORE Trophy Truck is the featured division for high-tech, 1000-horsepower unlimited custom trucks.
The race included a record number of 67 total UTVs in five different classes and as well as a record 43 starters in the Trophy Truck Spec class.
‘THE LUKE’ REFLECTS
After his solo victory, a calm and relaxed ‘The Luke,’ said at the finish line, “It was awesome. We had a perfect day. We just cruised all day. We just stopped one time at our planned pit stop and took 18 seconds of fuel, that was it.”
“Not a single flat tire. These are the same great BFGoodrich Tires that were on here this morning. They went the whole way. Jason Duncan (Navigator) called a perfect race. We didn’t make one mistake. We didn’t bobble once. We just drove 80% all day, we just drove it around. That’s what it takes.”
“I’m really excited, really grateful to be able to pull off another win. Thanks to my team. I get emotional. Thanks to my team, my mom, my dad, my wife, my baby that is due the end of May. A lot to be thankful for. I am bummed for my brother (Dan McMillin, 15th place). We pride ourselves on having two trucks that run flawless. On race mile two he (Dan) had an absolutely freakish failure. Totally out of our control. That was too bad. But perfect race for the No. 1 truck.”
“Thank you to SCORE and Jose G (Race Director Abelardo Grijalva) and Juan Tintos (General Manager). They do an amazing job put these events together here in Baja—the greatest place in the world to desert race.”
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE WINNER
Maybe a surprise overall motorcycle winner to many, but definitely not to themselves, Ciaran Naran and Tucker Hopkins split the riding to capture the overall win along with their own Pro Moto Unlimited Class.
Both experienced racers in the U.S. and Baja, Naran, 23, Huntington Beach, Calif., and Hopkins, 28, Venice Beach, Calif. rode their No. 3X Husqvarna FE450 to finish first among the motorcycles in a time of 6:08:05 (42.95mph) over the motorcycle course of 263.50 miles to each earn their first SCORE Overall motorcycle victory. Naran started and rode to race-mile 125 and Hopkins took the motorcycle from there to the motorcycle finish at race-mile 263.50.
M/C WINNER QUOTES
Following the first major victory as a team, Naran said, “The first half of the race that I rode was really, really good. I came in knowing just keep the wheels on the ground; we don’t need crazy speed. San Felipe can bite you easily so I just wanted to make sure the bike kept moving and going forward. That was the game plan. We executed it well. The dust wasn’t too bad this morning, luckily, so I made some passes quickly. I think I got into fourth within 10 or 15 miles. Then I just kept trucking forward and got third, second, first. It happened smooth and efficient. Can’t complain. And Tucker did a super job in the second half keeping everything clean. We be the Baja!”
“It was good to have someone like Colton Udall (multi-time SCORE motorcycle champion), who is very experienced down here, helping guide us and with pit strategy and guiding us through this adventure. Down here in Baja it isn’t racing other people, it is racing Baja. That is what Colton has always taught me. So it is great having someone like that guide me and point me in the right direction. It helps me stay safe and be more prepared, so I’m not doing any danger to myself. It is unreal to know that we are just the second Husqvarna bike to ever win this race down here. That is cool. We made some history.”
OVERALL TOTALS
SCORE Trophy Trucks have now won 26 overalls in San Felipe in the 28 years that the premier racing class has been part of this race. In this year’s race, SCORE Trophy Trucks captured the top 10 overall finishing positions including one SCORE TT Legend.
Among the tire manufacturers, BFGoodrich Tires has now won the overall victory for the 30th time in 36 years.
The win also gives Husqvarna its second overall motorcycle win in this race and first since 1984 when Dan Smith and Dan Ashcraft won on a Husqvarna CR500.
In the overall pro 4wheel vehicles, Chevy Trucks have now earned six Overall wins and in overall engine wins, Chevy now has eight wins.
OVERALL UTV WINNER
Providing another top trophy for Mexico’s popular Ampudia family of Papas Y Beer Racing, Rodrigo Ampudia, 38, drove the fastest UTV in the race, defeating a SCORE-record 67 UTVs in five classes in the race.
With his younger brother Alan Ampudia finishing in second place overall and in SCORE Trophy Truck, Rodrigo Ampudia, Ensenada, added to the family’s fame as well by winning the Pro UTV FI (Forced Induction) class that had a SCORE-record 30 starters in a time of 6:16:18 in his No. 2910 Can-Am X3 XRS Turbo R.
POLARIS FACTORY RACING
Former industry executive and champion SCORE desert racer Craig Scanlon debuted his new Polaris Factory Racing team in San Felipe.
Scanlon, 49, from Orange, Calif. by way of Helena, Mont., won the rapidly growing Pro UTV Open class that had 17 starters in a time of 6:12:56 in his new SCI Motorsports No. 1831 Polaris RZR Pro R.
In its first event, SCI had three new Polaris Factory Racing team members in the race in Pro UTV Open and all three finished. Cayden MacCachren, 21, Las Vegas, was fourth in class, Austin Weiland, 30, El Cajon, Calif., was sixth and Brock Heger, 23, El Centro, Calif., finished in the 10th position in class.
MORE UTV RESULTS
Atop of the Pro UTV NA class (6 starters), for the second straight year in San Felipe was SCORE veteran motorcycle champion Joe Bolton, 65, Corona, Calif. in his No. 1957 Polaris RZR XP1000.
Capturing the checkered flag in the Pro UTV Stock class over 13 starters was defending SCORE season point champion Anibal Lopez, 40, Mexicali, Mexico, in the No. 3900 Polaris RZR Turbo R.
TOP 10 SCORE TROPHY TRUCKS
Besides Luke McMillin, Ampudia and Menzies the rest of the top 10 SCORE Trophy Truck finishers, including one SCORE TT Legends (drivers over 50 years old) started with fourth place finisher Andrew Meyers, 43, San Marcos, Calif., with a time of 4:45:15 in his No. 69 Toyota Escondido Toyota Tundra.
Fifth was Mexico’s Gustavo ‘Tavo Vildosola’, 41, Mexicali, Mexico, in 4:46:39 in his No. 21 Vildosola Racing Ford Raptor and sixth in class and overall was Las Vegas’ Steve Olliges, 55, with a time of 4:50:53 in his No. 51 Ford Raptor.
Seventh was in 4:58:13 was Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., in his No. 43 Baja Vida Toyota Tundra.
Eighth overall and winning the SCORE TT Legend class for the second straight year was veteran SCORE champion racer Gustavo Vildosola Sr, 69, Mexicali along with second driver Ricky Johnson, 58, Trabuco Canyon, Calif. They finished in 4:58:44 in the No. 21 Vildosola Racing Ford Raptor.
Finishing ninth overall was Adam Householder, 38, Placentia, Calif. in 4:59:01 in his No. 24 Ford F-150.
Completing the top 10 overall and SCORE Trophy Truck finishers was 17-year-old SCORE Rookie Roberto Romo Jr, 17, in a time of 4:59:34 in his No. 33 Coast Aluminum Ford Raptor.
OTRO MAS, POR FAVOR….
Leading the gregarious group of 67 racers who entered with at least two class wins in this race who won again this year with five class wins in San Felipe was Gustavo Vildosola Sr who won the SCORE TT Legend class for drivers over 50 years old and finished ninth overall.
Fernando Beltran, Ensenada, Mexico, picked up his fourth class win here this year in Pro Moto Limited, as did Jano Montoya, 51, Winter Park, Fla. (Peru) in Pro Moto 30 and Eli Yee, 49, Tijuana, Mexico in Class 5.
Winning for his class for the third time in this race were ‘The Luke,’ McMillin in SCORE Trophy Truck and Daniel Chamlee, 60, Montecito, Calif. (San Felipe, Mexico) in Class 7.
MORE CLASS WINNERS
Among the other class winners in this year’s King Shocks 36th SCORE San Felipe 250, presented by Baja Vida, included Thor Herbst, 23, Las Vegas (Trophy Truck Spec, No. 219 Herbst/Smith), Justin Buckley, 32, Long Beach, Calif. (Class 10, No. 1064 Alumi Craft-Chevy), Scott Wisdom, 55, Lake Forest, Calif. (SCORE Lites, No. 1221 Raceco-VW), Eric Pavolka, 54, Sonoita, Ariz. (Class 1/2-1600, No. 1625 Foddrill-VW), Bud Pecoy, 64, West Des Moines, Iowa (Baja Challenge, No. BC3 BTC-Subaru) and Oliver Flemate, 46, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 11, No. 1155, VW Sedan).
Among the other two-wheel class winners were Juan Zunino, 28, Argentina (Pro Moto Ironman, No. 793x Honda CRF450X), Vance Kennedy, 52, Peoria, Ariz. (Pro Moto 50, No. 522x Husqvarna FX450) and Alirio Amado, 45, The Woodlands, Texas (Pro Moto 40, No. 441 Yamaha WR450F), Kevin Ward, 61, Longview, Texas (Pro Moto 60, No. 644x Honda CRF450x) and Robert Creemers, 58, New Zealand (Pro Moto 50 No. 501x Honda CRF50X).
In Pro Quad, the winners were: Faelly Lopez, 39, Puerto Rico (No. 83a Honda TRX450R) and Nicolas Velez, 16, San Felipe, Mexico (Pro Quad No. 1a Honda TRX450R).
MAJESTIC BAJA
SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva and Co-Race Director Rodolfo Fernandez put together another memorable race course to challenge the world’s best desert racers.
Starting and finishing back on the picturesque El Malecon, the race is 282.51 miles, running in a counter-clockwise direction and features one physical full stop checkpoint (Morelia Road Crossing) at Race Mile 165.
For just the second time and for safety reasons, SCORE developed two separate sections within the overall race course for motorcycles and quads only, but all classes still covered 282.51 total miles of magnificent Baja terrain.
There were 113 virtual checkpoints for cars/trucks/UTVs, 139 for motos/quads. The course had seven speed zones for a total of just 2.62 miles.
The course headed North to the Zoo Road crossing up to the El Chinero area North for a large loop through Laguna Salada, South to Borrego, down through Laguna Diablo, over the Mini Summit (motorcycles and quads only) to the Morelia Junction road crossing before winding West and South through four of the gloriously infamous Baja washes in this order: Amarillas Wash, Chanate Wash, Huatamote Wash and Azufre Wash, the Boulder Canyon (before Azufre) before heading North to the finish line.
The moto/quad first deviation of the course was at RM 52.76 north of El Chinero and rejoined the overall course at RM 107. The second deviation started at RM 235.52 at the East end of Azufre Wash where those classes took a longer course through Matomi Wash, then run North parallel to the car/truck/utv course before joining back up at rm 258.41, for the final miles to the finish line on El Malecon.
All Sportsman four-wheel classes, Class 7SX and Class 11 will run a reduced course of 238.44 miles.
SCOREscope
2023 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE
Here are the dates for the remaining races in the four-race 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship Golden Anniversary season, ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’, which are being held totally in Baja California, Mexico for the eighth consecutive year:
BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500—
May 31-June 4, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
4th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels—
September 12-17, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 1000—
November 13-18, La Paz, Baja California Sur to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
SCORE SPONSORS…
Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor, Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber and Race Title Sponsor, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel and race presenting sponsor, Baja Vida-Official Snacks and race presenting sponsor, Optima Batteries-Official Batteries, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communications, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.
SCORE Official Partners: The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance.
Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Tourism, MEXICO Secretary of Tourism, San Felipe Foundational Municipal Council, Ensenada Municipal Government, San Felipe Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Hotel and Motel Association, Proturismo Ensenada and Cruz Roja Mexicana.
For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCORE-International.com.

‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’
SCORE San Felipe 250 All-Time Overall Champions
(1982 through 2023)

Year--Driver(s), Vehicle (Class)
1982--Dan Cornwell, Chenowth-VW (Class 1)
1983--Corky McMillin/Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche (Class 2)
1984--Scott McMillin/Corky McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche (Class 2)
1990--Brian Collins/Jack Johnson, Chenowth-VW (Class 1)
1991--Larry Ragland, Chevy C1500 (Class 8)
1992--Bob Richey/Boyd Cox, Raceco-Porsche (Class 1)
1993--Scott Douglas, Ford Ranger (Class 7)
1994--Ivan Stewart, Toyota SR5 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
1995--Larry Ragland, Chevy C1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
1996--Robby Gordon, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
1997--Curt LeDuc, Jeep Grand Cherokee (SCORE Trophy Truck)
1998--Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel, Riviera-Chevy (Class 1)
1999--Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2000--Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2001--Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2002--Dan Smith/David Ashley, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2003--Gus Vildosola/Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE T-Truck)
2004--Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2005--Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)
2006--Garron Cadiente, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2007--Mark Post/Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE T-Truck)
2008--Brian Collins, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2009--Brian Collins, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2010—Armin Schwarz/Martin Christensen, Jimco-BMW (Class 1)
2011—Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2012—Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2013—Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr, Ford Raptor (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2014—Gus Vildosola Jr, Ford Raptor (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2015—Gus Vildosola Jr, Ford Raptor (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2016—Billy Wilson, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2017—Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2018—Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2019—Andy McMillin, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2020—No race because of health pandemic
2021—Bryce Menzies, Ford Raptor (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2022—Luke McMillin, Chevy 1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2023—Luke McMillin, Chevy 1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

Year--Rider(s), Vehicle
1982--Bob Balentine, Honda XR500 (Class 22)
1983--Jack Johnson, Honda XR500 (Class 22)
1984--Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna CR500 (Class 22)
1990--Dan Smith/Danny Hamel, KTM (Class 22)
1991--Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicut Jr, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)
1992--Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicut Jr, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)
1993--Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500(Class 22)
1994--Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)
1995--Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)
1996--Paul Krause, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)
1997--Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)
1998--Johnny Campbell/Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)
1999--Johnny Campbell/Cole Marshall, Honda XR650 (Class 22)
2000--Johnny Campbell/Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)
2001--Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda XR650R (Class 22)
2002--Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)
2003--Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)
2004--Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)
2005--Chris Blais/Andy Grider/Quinn Cody, KTM MXC525 (Class 22)
2006--Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2007--Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2008--Robby Bell/Johnny Campbell, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2009--Kendall Norman/Tim Weigand, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2010—Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2011—Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2012—Kurt Caselli/Ivan Ramirez, KTM 450SX-F (Class 22)
2013—Tim Weigand/Colton Udall, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)
2014--Ricky Brabec/Shane Esposito/Max Eddy Jr, Kawasaki KX450F (Class 22)
2015—Colton Udall/Justin Jones, Honda CRF450X (Open)
2016—Colton Udall/Mark Samuels, Honda CRF450X (Unlimited)
2017—Mark Samuels/Daymon Stokie/Ryan Penhall, Honda CRF450X (Unlimited)
2018—Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels, Honda CRF450X (Unlimited)
2019—Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda CRF450X (Unlimited)
2020—No race because of health pandemic
2021—Derek Ausserbauer, Honda CRF450X (Unlimited)
2022—Juan Carlos Salvatierra/Arturo Salas Jr/Shane Logan, KTM 450SX-F (Unlimited)
2023—Ciaran Naran/Tucker Hopkins, Husqvarna FE450

SCORE San Felipe 250 Overall Pro Champions