Off-road racing recap written by Sean Soseman — Photos by JD Media for Dead Red Off-Road, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LENA, WI — There’s something about off-road racing that just makes your pulse race a little faster—and this past weekend at Dirt City proved exactly why. With the newly redesigned track at Dirt City Motorplex, dubbed “Lena 2.0,” no one really knew what to expect. Would the new layout suit the heavy, spooled-diff Stock Trucks? Can anyone figure out the fastest line before it was too late? Would passing even be possible?
Well, all those questions were answered—loudly and dramatically—in front of a roaring Wisconsin crowd. The Stock Truck race didn’t disappoint, and when the dust finally settled, we were treated to a dominant performance, some fierce wheel-to-wheel battles, and even a post-race act of sportsmanship that reminded everyone what off-road racing is really all about.
Stock Truck Off-Road Racing Meets Dirt City 2.0
The new track layout at Dirt City had everyone guessing. Even the most seasoned drivers weren’t sure how their trucks would behave on the redesigned corners, tighter infield section, and longer backstretch. The challenge? These Stock Trucks are built tough but don’t love turning. That’s what happens when you’ve got a spooled rear differential and a restrictor plate choking off horsepower. So, getting around the track smoothly becomes more of a puzzle than a race sometimes.
Tyler Hoffman started the show, lining up on pole next to Brian Peot. The green flag dropped, and Tyler nailed the launch. He took the early lead and looked quick through the technical infield section—but the entrance to the backstretch wasn’t as kind. Hoffman pushed wide in the turn, giving Peot just enough space to sneak by and grab the lead.
Meanwhile, Colt Wierzba—last year’s Dirt City National winner—started all the way at the back. But you could tell Colt wasn’t planning to stay there. By the end of the first lap, he had charged up into third and was all over Hoffman’s bumper. And it didn’t take long for him to pounce.
Hoffman again struggled on the same corner, and Wierzba used that chance to leap into second place. It was clear Colt had figured out something that others hadn’t: how to carry speed and momentum through the trickiest sections of Lena 2.0.
The Caution, the Comeback, and the Charge
At the halfway mark, the competition caution flew. The top three were now Peot, Wierzba, and Hoffman. But things were far from settled.
This round also brought a familiar name back to the class—Nick Axelsen, a former Stock Truck standout, was subbing in for Kyle Jenshak in the #542 Chevy. Fans were excited to see what the Pro Spec driver could do back in a Stock Truck seat. Unfortunately, overheating issues and a pit stop for a tire meant the comeback story never got off the ground. Nick had to pull into the hot pit and never rejoined the race.
After the caution, it was go time. And Wierzba wasted absolutely no time making his move. He pressured Peot coming out of turn one, then took the high line around turn two and made the outside pass stick heading into the backstretch. It was a bold move, and it worked perfectly.
From there, Colt never looked back. He pulled away from the field, building a lead that looked downright untouchable. Peot tried to keep pace, but the difference in momentum through the corners was obvious. Wierzba had found the magic line around Lena 2.0—and everyone else was stuck trying to learn it on the fly.
Off-Road Racing Battles Behind the Leader
While Wierzba was putting on a clinic out front, there was still plenty of action further down the field. The best battle of the day wasn’t for the win—it was for fourth.
Malakai Yakel and TJ Ewert went toe-to-toe in a gripping showdown for position that lasted nearly the entire second half of the race. With 50 seconds left on the clock, Ewert closed the gap and began trying everything he could to get by Yakel. He tried the inside in turn two. He dove low through the “Hell Hole.” But every time he got close, Yakel would motor away just far enough to shut the door.
The fans were on their feet watching this duel unfold. Even though Ewert didn’t complete the pass, the way he pressured Yakel showed the kind of racing grit that makes short-course off-road racing so exciting. You didn’t need a battle for the lead to get the adrenaline pumping—just a couple of drivers refusing to give an inch.
And while all eyes were on that fight, Tyler Hoffman held his ground and brought home a well-earned third place. It wasn’t the win he wanted after starting on pole, but he kept it clean and fast, which is never a given in this type of off-road racing chaos.
Off-Road Racing Sportsmanship at Its Best
With the checkered flag waving, the finishing order was locked in. Wierzba in first, Peot in second, and Hoffman in third. Only five of the nine trucks that started finished the race—a brutal reminder that in off-road racing, just surviving can sometimes be an accomplishment.
But then something happened that you don’t always see in motorsports. Wierzba’s truck lost power on the cooldown lap and stalled before making it to the podium. Stuck on the track, Colt looked like he might have to walk it in. That’s when Brian Peot—his fiercest rival that race—stepped up and gave him a push with his own truck. Not just a little nudge either. Brian pushed Colt all the way to the podium staging area.
Read the recap of the Stock vs. Super Stock Truck Shootout here.
Moments like that remind everyone why they love this sport. Sure, everyone wants to win. But there’s a code in off-road racing—when the helmets come off, you look out for each other. That push may not have earned any points or trophies, but it earned a whole lot of respect from fans and fellow drivers alike.
He Said It
“Brian was running a good inside line. I knew it was going to be hard to pass him. I was mainly waiting for him to push wide somewhere. Finally, he gave it to me. I had to take it all the way to the next turn to close him. When I got it, I tried not to mess up.” — Colt Wierzba, Saturday Stock Truck Winner
Final Results – Round 9 Stock Truck
- Colt Wierzba, #517, Chevy
- Brian Peot, #519, Chevy
- Tyler Hoffman, #562, Chevy
- Malakai Yakel, #513, Chevy
- TJ Ewert, #520, Chevy
- Zachary Wennesheimer, #507, Chevy
- Nick Axelsen (for Kyle Jenshak), #542, Chevy
- Weston Juul, #512, Ford
- Robbie Deede, #533, RAM
Official Results may be viewed here.
