GRC - Las Vegas: Joni Wiman wins, Scott Speed takes the title
Scott Speed is the 2015 Global Rallycross champion! Driver of Andretti’s Volkswagen Beetle defends his championship lead at the last round which took place at Las Vegas and clinched the title ahead team-mate and double GRC champion Tanner Foust. Speed finished third in the last race, while Foust finished ninth after he damaged the car in the opening lap.
The winner at Las Vegas was last year’s champion Joni Wiman in Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta, who scored his first victory of the season. His team-mate Sebastian Eriksson completed the podium with second place and confirmed third position in the championship standings.
“I feel great! I’ve been waiting for this for almost 20 races. It’s unbelievable—I had a completely clean race with almost no mistakes, and that’s how you win races,” Wiman said after the race. Wiman took the semifinal victory to earn lane choice at the starting grid for the 10-lap final race, which was hedl on a wet track, so drivers was forced to run wet tires.
Speed, who won the second semifinal, grabbed the lead on the start , but Wiman muscled by him during contact between multiple cars that left fellow championship contender Tanner Foust’s car damaged and unable to mount a successful run for the title. Wiman would never relinquish the lead, while Speed maintained the third spot to earn the championship.
“What a great way to win here, with all the climate issues and all the drama. It really feels great for the team because we came from so far back in points. I’m super happy for Volkswagen Andretti to bring home this championship!” said Scott Speed.
In GRC Lites category Alex Keyes scored his third victory of the season ahead guest driver from Sweden Andreas Wernersson, but more interesting was fight for the championship title. Austin Cindric, who was leading in a classification before the race, stucked in a mud in the opening lap and Oliver Eriksson had a clear way to the finish. He crossed the line behind Keyes and Wernersson, which brings him enough points for GRC Lites title.
