King of the Hammers is one of the toughest and most unique races in the world. It has never been kind to the faint of heart, but once again, Brad Lovell made Johnson Valley look like home. Piloting a Bronco Raptor in the brutally competitive Every Man Challenge, Lovell, alongside his co-driver and son Adam Lovell, delivered a commanding performance that secured first in the 4600 class and second overall, marking Ford Racing’s fifth consecutive Everyman Challenge victory.
From the moment qualifying wrapped, it was clear the bar had been set high. Brad took pole position in the 4600 class, laying down the fastest qualifying time and setting the tone for race day. But even from the pole, the job is never simple. The staggered start meant Brad had lots of traffic ahead, specifically the more heavily modified 4800-class cars.
Built, Not Bred for Unlimited
The 4600 Stock Class is where theory meets reality. Vehicles must retain full bodies, run 35-inch DOT-approved tires, maintain stock suspension geometry, and adhere to strict modification limits. This isn’t about brute force, it’s about production-based engineering, durability, and smart driving.
For Ford Racing, that challenge is entirely intentional.
Competing in Johnson Valley provides one of the harshest proving grounds in off-road racing, where weaknesses are exposed quickly and lessons are learned the hard way. Those lessons don’t stay in the desert, they inform and contribute to the future of Ford production vehicles, including the Bronco Raptor.
Brad’s #4621 Bronco Raptor, wearing the new Ford Racing blue-and-white livery, stood out sharply against the desert landscape. It wasn’t just good-looking, it was fast, composed, and relentless.
Passing the Field and Making It Look Easy
Despite starting ahead of his class, Brad still had to work through traffic from the faster-starting 4800 class. And work he did. Over the course of the race, the Bronco Raptor steadily reeled in and passed more heavily modified cars, ultimately finishing second overall, an astonishing result for a stock-class entry.
The final time?
6:27:53
And that margin mattered. Second place in the 4600 class went to Loren Healy, also with Ford Racing, and also in a Bronco Raptor, who crossed the line 36 minutes later at 7:04:14.
While the 4600 class does include a handful of stock bypasses, the attrition rate tells the real story. Out of 24 starters, only five vehicles finished, making the Lovells’ result even more impressive.
The Bronco didn’t make it through untouched. Late in the race, Brad was forced to change a tire on course, and the vehicle showed the scars of battle. Still, it kept charging to the finish.
Penalties, Pressure, and Precision
Even with such a dominant run, nothing at KOH is guaranteed. Brad admitted post-race that he had concerns about penalties, especially given how narrow some of the checkpoint ranges were. Time penalties took their toll on many of the racers, forcing some into disqualification.
Those concerns proved valid, one penalty was assessed for missing RCP 80 on lap two. Fortunately, the Lovells’ lead was substantial enough that it didn’t threaten the victory.
A Family Affair
The Every Man Challenge win wasn’t the Lovells’ only success at King of the Hammers. Brad and Adam also took a class win the week before in the F-150 Raptor in the Desert Challenge, capping off an exceptional week.
Adam Lovell wasn’t done yet.
On Saturday, Adam stepped into the 4400 class, co-driving with Brad in the Ford Ranger. While they were ultimately unable to finish, the duo pushed deep into the race, making it into the second lap and showcasing their pace and potential in the top tier of ultra-competitive rock racing. More to come on this race, the attrition was literally the highest and was the most difficult Race of Kings ever.
Ford Racing’s Everyman Legacy Continues
Five consecutive Everyman Challenge wins don’t happen by accident. They’re earned through engineering, preparation, and drivers who know how to extract every ounce of performance from production-based machines.
In 2026, Brad and Adam Lovell didn’t just win, they dominated. And they did it the hard way, exactly how King of the Hammers demands. It was great being at both the start and finish line of the race, feeling the emotions
Johnson Valley delivered once again. And Ford Racing left its mark, again.
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