Mickey Thompson-sponsored racer Darren “Hot Sauce” Hardesty Jr. earned his third straight Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro Buggy championship in style, finishing second in the final race of the year just behind Eliott Watson, his closest challenger in the season points race.

Not only is it three championships in a row for Hardesty, it’s also the fifth time a Mickey Thompson-backed competitor has earned top honors in the LOORRS Pro Buggy class.

“Congratulations once again to Darren ‘Hot Sauce’ Hardesty Jr. on earning his third straight Pro Buggy championship,” said Ken Warner, VP of Marketing for Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels. “It was a great season for the entire #99 team, and we’re proud to be part of such an amazing group.”

Just 13 points separated Hardesty Jr., driving the Bilstein Shock Absorbers/Steel-It Alumi Craft buggy, from Watson’s #3 Tom Watson Inc./BFGoodrich Tires Alumi Craft machine as they hit the track at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.

Watson qualified second and Hardesty third, closing the season points gap to 12. Watson picked up another point on Hardesty Jr. for leading at the halfway point, as well as two more for finishing one spot ahead of Hardesty Jr. in the race, making the final difference just nine points.

For more information about Team M/T, click here.