Why Brad Lovell Loves Broncos

Brad Lovell was born into a Bronco-loving family. Brad Lovell and his brother, Roger, grew up in Colorado Springs, CO and spent their childhood camping and off-roading in the mountains with their family’s ’83 and ’88 Ford Broncos. Always searching for adventure, the Lovells begged their dad to take the “rough roads”. 

It stands to reason that Lovell would go on to compete in and win several rock-crawling competitions, the King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge (three times). Lovell was also named the 2012 Dirt Sports Driver of the Year. Learn more about our July featured enthusiast below.

It runs in the family

Lovell’s dad purchased a ’76 Ford Bronco in high school that he had his sons help rebuild. Their long hours ended in an engine fire, pierced tired and a rebellious joy ride that promptly ended when the brakes failed.

As soon as the Bronco was restored, the Lovell brothers used the truck a handful of times before their dad passed away in 2000. Lovell brought the Bronco back to life in 2019 so he and his sons could use it to adventure in the backcountry, like he did with his dad, during the Expedition Colorado off-road adventure.

Lovell, ever the Ford lover, got a Ford Ranger at age 16. With the intention of using the Ranger as his daily driver, Lovell and his brother modified a competition rock-crawler and began attending events—and often winning. The very same Ford Ranger brought the duo to their most recent win at Every Man Challenge at King of the Hammers.

A new Bronco build

Lovell competed in his first NORRA 1000 with Boyd Jaynes in his Ford Bronco in 2014. Fellow competitor Chris Sullivan ran into an issue while coming up over a blind rise and having to roll his 1968 Bronco to avoid a giant boulder. As soon as locals pitched in to help get it upright, Sullivan realized the Bronco was totaled.

A couple months after the crash, Lovell discovered the same Bronco in the classified ads. He and his brother Roger discussed it over a few beers, and they made the decision to add another, different type of Bronco build to their collective resumes: a race Bronco.

Just like their original Bronco build, the race Bronco was a labor of love. It needed new sheet metal and a new frame, but they were able to restore it in time for the 2015 NORRA 1000.

Nearly halfway down the peninsula, much to their dismay, the Lovells’ engine died. After a full engine overhaul, the reliable Ford Bronco has since won three straight years of its class on the Baja Peninsula.

Lovell’s dedication to a lifetime love of building and respect for Broncos has led Ford to feature him in its upcoming 2020 Ford Bronco release.

Lovell resumed racing last month in the Silver State 300, and the rescheduled NORRA 1000 October 3–10 could give Lovell his fourth consecutive win. Check out more of our featured enthusiasts here!