Rude's Last Second Charge Pays Off, Steals Bandit Win at Hickory

BLOOMING PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricky Rude (#14) and Darren Proffitt (#27) may be brothers, but when they're squaring off on the track, brotherly love goes out the window.

Rude, the Bandit Big Rig Series points leader, had what some might consider his signature win of the season in front of a sold-out crowd at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday.

Leading by several truck lengths late in the race, Proffitt was in the driver's seat until his brother flew by on lap 24 of 25 to steal the checkered flag and the $10,000 victory check.

"My brother hasn't won a race yet this year," Rude said.  "He's good with second."

"I don't think anyone thought on lap 20 that Ricky would end up with the check," Bandit Director of Operations Brian Madsen said.

Lap traffic certainly helped Rude, as Proffitt encountered several different trucks on the last few laps of the race.

"I don't know that I could have caught him without the lap traffic," Rude said.

The win is Rude's fifth feature victory of the season.  He also put some breathing room between himself and Tommy Boileau (#16), who now trails Rude by 172 points heading into the season's last race at Crisp Motorsports Park.

"It's going to be one heck of a finale," Madsen said.  "Can Ricky close the deal or will someone else steal the championship?  A $50,000 purse is up for grabs, so who knows what's going to happen!"

The event at Crisp Motorsports Park begins at 5 p.m. on October 28^th.

About Bandit Big Rig Series

The Bandit Big Rig Series returns big rig tractor truck racing to the short track in the United States. The series was designed to be affordable and accessible for anyone wishing to put together a race team.

For additional information, please contact Brian Madsen at (507) 676-6627, or email [email protected].

About Minimizer

Leveraging more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise at its state-of-the-art facility in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Minimizer is not only the leader in poly semi truck fenders - we invented the category. Minimizer poly fenders and integrated bracket kits are nearly indestructible and are guaranteed for life.

Our research and development team constantly "tests and tortures" each of our products to make sure what goes on, in or is used to fix the truck meets the rigors of our tough industry.

We also manufacture industry-leading light kits, mud flaps, tool boxes, tire masking kits, work benches and other accessories. Our most recent innovations include the world's ONLY custom molded floor mats for semi trucks, as well as the revolutionary "whole body health" Minimizer Truck Seat System.

Minimizer has been family owned and operated for three generations. The company manufactures its products in the USA and makes everything tough enough to please tough people in a tough industry.

Contact: Craig Kruckeberg
Bandit Big Rig Series
(612) 360-9936
[email protected]

SOURCE Minimizer