Chris Van Den Elzen came to Las Vegas to watch the Mint 400 and “take in the experience”. He didn’t expect it to turn into him navigating in Friday’s Limited Race.

Coming off a runner-up finish in the 2025 Championship Off-Road Pro SPEC points battle, Van Den Elzen explained he was asking around to know who was in town for the Mint when Cole Brandt asked if he wanted to be his co-driver. While he’s never done a desert race before, VDE was more than eager to say yes.

Brandt is driving a Class 1/2-1600 in the Limited Race, one of nine cars in the category.

Van Den Elzen isn’t the only Championship Off-Road regular taking part. 2022 Pro SPEC champion Gray Leadbetter will also be in the Limited Race, driving the Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2.

Leadbetter, who finished fourth in the 2025 Pro Lite standings and also races in Extreme H, will share the electric Silverado with Kyle Mitlyng. Built by Chevrolet Performance and Hall Racing Products, the EV is one of two such vehicles in the race alongside a Cybertruck. EVs are only required to run two laps due to their range.

“I’m so excited to start my season off at the Mint 400 with Chevrolet Performance and Hall Racing,” Leadbetter stated. “We had a great testing program to get ready to the race, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the team so far.”

Pro 4 driver Cole Mamer was also a last-minute addition, sharing the #50 Unlimited Truck 2WD with Joe Herling. Mamer was seventh in the 2025 Pro 4 standings with a win. He will be in the Unlimited Race on Saturday.

Dave Mason Jr., who races in Pro Buggy and Pro 2, would’ve been part of the short course contingent but is sidelined by a leg injury. Other COR drivers, alumni or current, include two-time Pro Stock SxS champ Brock Heger and the Anderson brothers.

Featured image credit: Gray Leadbetter Racing