2024 PRO Buggy Champion

Jordan Bernloehr is a relative newcomer to short-course off-road racing. Still, his extensive motorsports experience was crucial in winning the 2024 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road PRO Buggy title. The Minnesota native proudly ascended the podium a remarkable eleven times, achieving victory in five rounds. Bernloehr seems set on defending his title and eventually moving to the next level of the sport.

Rising Star in Off-Road Racing: From Karting to Championship Glory

Growing up in a racing family, it was inevitable that he would find his way to the track. Jordan and his brother Cole are part of a family legacy in off-road racing, being third-generation racers. Their grandfather participated in the second Crandon Brush Run, while their father later competed in the Super Buggy class in various series, including SODA, CORR, Pace, and TORC, from the 1990s to the early 2000s.

Early Racing Years: Karting and Dirt Bikes

His childhood was split between karting and dirt bikes. While his brother pursued two-wheel racing, he gravitated back to karting after experiencing injuries on dirt bikes. From age five to eight, he competed in karting before briefly stepping away, only to return at 15. His skills earned him multiple karting championships and a stint in the Trans Am TA2 series, where he competed in one full season and two partial seasons. He remained competitive despite financial challenges and an unfortunate rule misunderstanding that cost him a Rookie of the Year title. Additionally, his motorsports journey briefly took him to Central America, where Jordan accepted an invitation to race stock cars, finishing on the podium in Guatemala and achieving victories in Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Entering Championship Off-Road

Three years ago, his career took a new turn when the family purchased three PRO Buggies for Jordan, Cole, and Bryan, their dad, and immediately entered the Championship Off-Road series. At that time, the PRO Buggy division truly began to grow. The mix of seasoned veterans and younger drivers from across the country continues to make this class one of the largest and most entertaining races every weekend.

His first race was at Crandon International Raceway, where he had only three practice laps before diving into the intense landrush start. He often started from the back with no qualifying sessions that year, but the experience provided invaluable seat time.

The following season, an Alumicraft chassis was purchased, and he quickly emerged as a front-runner in a class where most racers were capable of winning. His background in Trans Am, especially with left-foot braking, provided him an edge in off-road racing. He secured his first win at ERX Motor Park, achieving an emotional victory in front of his hometown crowd.

Championship Success and Future Goals

His third season was a breakthrough. Despite early mechanical setbacks, he remained a podium contender at nearly every event. At the end of the season, a five-race winning streak secured him the class championship. His consistency and adaptability proved crucial, reinforcing his belief that he belonged at the top.

Every successful race team relies on a strong support network; family is at its core. Racing with my father and brother in the same class is an honor and an exciting experience. As a team, we push each other to improve with every lap, creating a culture of constant growth and brotherhood.

Jesse Greaves of J Spec Fabrication & Race Prep oversees all race preparations and provides support at the track. He has been an essential part of the team since the very first race at Crandon. Beau Ambos serves as Jordon’s spotter, crucial in maintaining composure and maximizing his on-track performance. Hunter Carlson has been present at every race, offering valuable assistance to the team. Appreciation is also extended to all friends, partners, and others who contribute during the race season.

With the 2025 season approaching, he is setting his sights on defending the PRO Buggy championship but ultimately looks to move up to PRO 2. A deal with his father promised a PRO 2 opportunity if he won a championship, and now, discussions are underway to make it happen. Financial challenges, particularly the cost of the powerplants, remain a hurdle, but he is determined to make the leap.

Expanding into Desert Racing

Beyond short-course racing, he has also tested his skills in desert racing, competing in events like the Mint 400 and Baja 1000. Though his current Class 10 car is an older model, the experience has been invaluable in learning to adapt to long-distance endurance racing.

Looking ahead, he acknowledges that there’s still much to learn—especially in car setup and performance fine-tuning. However, with his talent, determination, and passion for the sport, his rise in off-road racing is far from over. With PRO 2 on the horizon, his journey is just beginning.