Best in the Desert’s Parker 425 is one of the premiere races in off-road racing. For one sportsman driver, it was a heroic story of his first race that will forever be remembered within the off-road community. After starting dead last, Tyler Patten drove the #1814 buggy to a first place finish in the Sportsman Class. This would have seemed like an ordinary feat but two years prior, doctors found tumors in Tyler’s brain that would leave him in and out of the hospital for an entire year after his 21st birthday.
Tyler, now 22, is still fighting everyday to get his strength back and had the wish to go racing with his dad, Lee. Lee called Jerry Penhall and asked if he would help him make Ty’s wish come true. Jerry’s job was to go the first lap and make sure the car got to Lee and Tyler so they could race a lap and take the car to the finish line.
After starting dead last, Tyler and Lee crossed the finish line first in class and the rest is history. Congratulations to Tyler and Lee Patten on their win at the 2014 Best in the Desert Parker 425.
