The 2025 Vegas to Reno is more than just the longest single-day off-road race in the U.S., it’s also an incredibly challenging race for drivers, machines, and this year, for one Ford family legacy.
Set to take place August 15th, this epic 550-mile desert race spans some of Nevada’s most rugged terrain. Starting just north of Las Vegas and ending just outside Reno, Nevada, it draws between 200-300 entries annually. But while the field is represented by motorcycles, side by sides, and all types of 4 wheeled vehicles, an interesting twist for Bronco fans this year is Ford Performance’s assault on the desert.
Healy vs. Lovell – A Family Rivalry with Raptor Roots
The 1200 Class (Stock Full-Size) features a high-profile Ford entry with DOR (driver of record) Loren Healy, one of the most well-known off-road racers in the country, especially with Bronco Nation fans. In a surprising turn of events, he’s teamed up with co-dawg Adam Lovell, who at just nineteen years of age, has already a long list of wins in the off-road racing circuit. Adam is the son of off-road icon Brad Lovell, and the Helay/Lovell team will be competing in a Ford Raptor R.
But across this year’s dusty racecourse, Adam’s father Brad Lovell will be lining up against him alongside Adam’s twin brother Byam Lovell in a Ford Ranger Raptor, racing in the 7300 Class (Stock Mid-Size).
It’s not just a race. It’s a generational duel, and one we’ve been following closely this year, seeing hints of it at King of the Hammers as well as NORRA in Baja, with one family split between two Raptors and two teams, each formidable in their own right.
Dominating the 7300 Class – Ford’s Competitive Edge
While the 7300 class may only have three entries this year, don’t be fooled, Ford Performance is bringing top-tier competition with two heavy hitters:
- #7325 Vaughn Gittin Jr. (Driver of Record)
- #7373 Brad & Byam Lovell, backed by a deep bench of talent
Brad’s Ranger Raptor isn’t just a father/son show. The second half of the race will see Fire Guys Racing veterans Jason Hutter and Paul Blangsted take over driving duties, proving that this team is as deep as it is fast.
Meanwhile, Vaughn Gittin Jr. fields a second team led by the Queen of off-road racing Bailey Campbell and husband Bryan Croft, adding even more firepower to Ford Performance’s bid for the podium.
More Racers Racing Fords to Watch
Ford’s off-road talent runs deep in the 2025 Vegas to Reno field:
- John Williams – Driving for Ford Performance Racing School, team #4623, in the 4600 Class
- Nate Williams, racing in the 1200 Class, vehicle #1223 competing against Loren Healy in class.
Insight from Brad Lovell
We had the opportunity to speak with Brad Lovell as he was actively preparing for race day:
“We are running against Chevy and I feel confident in our Raptor platform and our race preparations. This is a great course for the Ranger Raptor because it is not as rough as Baja and favors a nimble, lightweight vehicle. We anticipate fighting a lot of dust out there, but we will fight through it the best we can.” This year’s review of the 550-mile course describe large rocks at the edge of the trail which will limit passing and risk race ending heavy vehicle damage.
Lovell knows a thing or two about Ford platforms, having helped develop and race the Bronco DR and is now pushing the boundaries of the Ranger Raptor in the desert after a huge success at Fink in Australia.
Follow the Race
To follow the race at home:
- Visit the official site: bitd.com
- Check out teams and updates on social media
- Look for live onboard footage and tracking links—share them in the comments if you find any!
This year’s Vegas to Reno, like many races is more than just the competition, it’s about the racers and their stories, including a family showdown with lots of friendly but fierce competition. Good luck to the racers and to Ford Performance.
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