The 2019 SCORE World Desert Championship season is in the book and the dust has settled with a new champion atop the ranks. Andy McMillin took home the crown during this year’s season despite taking home a 13th position at the Baja 1000. McMillin rounded out the season finishing first at the San Felipe 250, first at the Baja 500, and second at the Baja 400.

“This is my first championship in the SCORE series since I began racing it at 16 and it is a great accomplishment for my team, my sponsors, family and myself,” said McMillin. “Due to two minor setbacks of rolling the truck and a broken transmission we weren’t able to achieve our first goal which was to win the SCORE Baja 1000, but we were able to achieve our second goal of winning the season points championship. We kept our ‘never give up’ attitude and made it to the finish line. Now we start working on dominating the 2020 race season.”

“Congratulations to Andy McMillin for capturing the 2019 Overall SCORE World Desert Championship,” said Tim Chaney, vice president, marketing, Toyo Tire USA Corp. “Our race-proven Open Country M/T-R tires helped win two major championships this year in both in short course and desert off-road racing.”

McMillin’s championship was announced on the heels of Team Toyo driver Alan Ampudia winning the 52nd SCORE Baja 1000, a first for Ampudia and fourth for Toyo Tires; Robby Gordon in 2006, and BJ Baldwin in 2012 and 2013. Team Toyo drivers have won the Overall SCORE World Desert Championship four times: Robby Gordon in 2009, BJ Baldwin in 2012 and 2013, and now Andy McMillin in 2019. In addition, Team Toyo drivers have won the SCORE Baja 500 four times: Robby Gordon 2013, Tavo Vildósola 2016, Andy McMillin 2017 and 2019.

Can McMillin do it again next year with everyone jumping on the 4WD bandwagon? We will have to wait and see, but he will surely be on the top of everyone’s list.