Global Rallycross Championship: Two in a row for Scott Speed at LA
Scott Speed (Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross) won both of the main races at the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship event at the Port of Los Angeles. It was also an extra successful weekend for Andretti’s rallycross team and its VW Beetle Supercar, because they scored another two places at podium on Sunday after Saturday’s 1-2 victory. On Saturday, Speed was victorious ahead of his teammate Tanner Foust and Patrik Sandell (Bryan Herta Rallysport), on Sunday Brian Deegan (Chip Ganassi Racing) was second, between Speed and Foust.
The first day was unfortunate for championship leader Ken Block (Hoonigan Racing Division), who missed the main race for the first time. Sebastian Eriksson (Olsbergs MSE), who entered the weekend second in the standings, also missed Saturday’s main event. Meanwhile, Subaru Rally Team USA had a successful day, putting three of its four entries into Saturday’s main event.
The final race of 10 drivers was dominated by Volkswagens, so after 10 laps Speed and Foust took the highest podium spots. Sandel was third, ahead of Norwegian Sverre Isachsen (Subaru Rally Team USA). Chip Ganassi Racing’s Steve Arpin and Brian Deegan were fifth and sixth, ahead of Travis Pastrana in another Subaru. Nelson Piquet Jr. (SH Racing Rallycross), Joni Wiman (Olsbergs MSE) and Bucky Lasek (Subaru) rounded the Top 10.
Behind Speed, Deegan and Foust, who scored podiums on Sunday, the other finalists were Patrik Sandell, Steve Arpin, Travis Pastrana, Sebastian Eriksson, Joni Wiman, Ken Block and Nelson Piquet Jr. Austin Dyne (Bryan Herta Rallysport), Brian Wong (Rhys Millen Racing) and David Higgins (Subaru) missed both finals.
On Sunday, Speed scored his seventh GRC career victory, which elevated him to second place in the championship standings. Ken Block is still the leader, after finishing Sunday’s main race ninth. His lead over Speed is just 13 points. The top seven drivers are now separated by only 64 points heading into the final three races of the season. The championship will continue with one more doubleheader event at Bushy Park Barbados on October 3-4. The final event is scheduled for November 4 at Las Vegas.
Photo: redbullglobalrallycross.com
