Ford Racing delivered a commanding result at the 2026 King of the Hammers, claiming a one-two finish in the Bronco Raptor 4600 as the event marked its twentieth anniversary in Johnson Valley. The victory extends Ford Racing’s streak to five consecutive wins in the Ultra4 Every Man Challenge 4600 stock class, reinforcing Bronco Raptor’s credibility in one of off-road racing’s most demanding, production-based classes.
Leading the charge, Brad and Adam Lovell capped a dominant King of the Hammers week by taking the win in the Bronco Raptor 4600. Earlier in the event, the father-son duo claimed victory in the Desert Challenge Limited race piloting the 3.5L Ford F-150 Raptor and also secured the top qualifying position in the 4600 class for the fifth consecutive year
In a race defined by consistency in the demanding blend of desert speed and technical rock terrain that defines Ultra4 competition, Lovell was joined on the podium by Ford Racing teammates Loren Healy and Vaughn Gittin Jr. in second.
"It was a very intense race for us. It was emotional – a very difficult course. It’s a testament to the Ford Bronco out there,” said Lovell. “I cannot believe the way we were flying through the whoops – I can’t say enough about Bronco Raptor. They’re amazing products.”
Set in the unforgiving landscape of Johnson Valley, California, the 4600 class places strict limits on vehicle modification, prioritizing production-based engineering, full bodies, 35” DOT tires and stock suspension geometry. For Ford Racing, the challenge is intentional. Competing in Johnson Valley provides a direct proving ground for Bronco Raptor - one where lessons are learned the hard way and carried forward into future development of Ford production vehicles.
“King of the Hammers is one of the most honest tests we face in off-road racing,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Racing. “You can’t hide behind extreme modifications in 4600. You learn quickly what works, what lasts, and what needs to be better. To be here for the fifth straight year proves why racing stock classes in places like Johnson Valley is so important to how we develop and validate Bronco Raptor.”
This year’s result came during a milestone moment for King of the Hammers, now twenty years into its reputation as the toughest single-day off-road race in the world. While the event has grown, the core challenge remains unchanged: desert speed into brutal rock canyons, hours of sustained abuse, and terrain that breaks parts and tests drivers. These challenges reinforce why this desert continues to matter to Bronco Raptor’s racing and product DNA, the first Ultra4-inspired production SUV.
For Raptor customers, the lessons from Johnson Valley are tangible. The same priorities that define success in the 4600 class - durability, capability, and confidence over long miles - are the foundation of the production Bronco Raptor. Racing in the Every Man Challenge ensures those vehicles aren’t just capable on paper, but proven in the same environments that Bronco owners seek out every weekend.
