The desert race season has begun with all-out, full-tilt speed at Best in the Desert’s Parker 425 qualifying.

Robby Gordon claimed his position at the top with a blistering time of 4 minutes, 24.562 second and an average speed of 74.84 mph over the three-mile course. Gordon’s result comes after he competed just a few days prior at the UTV King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California.

Following close behind is SCORE’s 2015 champion Apdaly Lopez, who drove for driver of record Clyde Stacy. Off-road legend Rob MacCachren, who also took part in a number of events during King of the Hammers week, also made the trek to Parker for qualifying and rounded out the top three.

Rolling in fourth is Sam Berri in the first of the buggies with Shawn Croll, Jake Johnson and Luke McMillin all within two seconds of each other. Justin Matney finished in eight, John Swift ninth, and three-time champion Jason Voss rounded out the top 10.

Three laps around the brutal Parker race course while battling dust and other racers will be the great equalizer come Saturday. Stay tuned for more from Parker here on ORC.

Parker 425 Qualifying Results
1. Robby Gordon – 4:24.562
2. Clyde Stacy – 4:37.225
3. Rob MacCachren – 4:28.302
4. Sam Berri – 4:331.994
5. Shawn Croll – 4:32.836
6. Jake Johnson – 4:33.819
7. Luke McMillin – 4:34.599
8. Justin Matney – 4:35.315
9. John Swift – 4:35.557
10. Jason Voss – 4:41.523
11. BJ Baldwin – 4:41.638
12. Lalo Laguna – 4:42.157
13. Justin Lofton – 4:43.050
14. Tracy Graf – 4:43.459
15. Andy McMillin – 4:44.158