Casen Pedersen atoned for his crash 12 months earlier by topping L2WD in Ohio
Photography by Jacob Halfman
Words by Luke Barry & Brenten Kelly
Nothing tastes sweeter than the taste of success. Except when that success comes off the back of a redemption arc.
Southern Ohio Forest Rally held bad memories for young Casen Pedersen, who crashed heavily in 2024. Coming back – for his first ARA National presented by Kubota start since no less – could not have been easy.
The goal was therefore modest.
“The plan for me is to get comfortable with the car, to try to set a decent pace and just see how it goes,” he told DirtFish. |I want to get into the groove again.
“I don’t want to set expectations too high [but] I want to be part of something here on Saturday night.”
That something would prove to the top step of the podium, as Pedersen and co-driver Drew Staples defied the odds to bring their Lexus IS 250 home first in Limited 2WD.
“Man, I can’t tell you how good this feels!” Pedersen smiled. “It’s been a long time out of the car, but I didn’t think this was going to happen this weekend.
“I mean, I don’t think anybody comes into a rally not wanting to win. But we had some good fortune… Drew Staples, man, he’s the man!
“RCR, the crew as a whole is just top notch. But yeah, good car, better team. Like it’s a really cool family we got going on now.”
Pedersen wasn’t the out-and-out fastest driver in Ohio, but when his rivals faltered he was there to pick up the pieces.
“Yeah man, like I said good fortune,” he added. “It’s a very competitive class and these guys are quick so we’re happy to be where we’re at and just a great weekend overall.”
Pedersen has reached the top step thanks to tuition at DirtFish
Most importantly, Pedersen atoned for his disaster 12 months earlier – which he admitted had played on his mind.
“Man, it’s a monkey off my back, for sure,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about this place for a long time. So I really cannot express enough how good this feels.”
The result was also the perfect marker of Pedersen’s progress, as he reflected on a journey that started at 15 years old when he took a DirtFish Rally School class.
“I didn’t even have a license yet!” Pedersen laughed. “It started off as a family vacation, and man I just caught the bug. Every year, we would go once or twice a year – me, my dad, and my brother. And then it turned into this great coaching over there, top-notch facility. And man, yeah, it’s been a wild ride.
“I’ve got to work on some things,” he added. “I’ve got to work on notes. I want to go to OZ Rally Pro. I’ve heard great things. And I’m going to go over there, work on my craft a little bit, then hopefully move up.”
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: ARA, ARA 2025, Casen Pedersen, Southern Ohio Forest Rally, Southern Ohio Forest Rally 2025
Publish Date June 17, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/06/ZaQVyfsr-Jacob-Halfman-SOFR-2025-Fri-SS10-12-1-780x520.jpg June 17, 2025
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