Scott Speed changed the podium this Sunday with a victory in Minneapolis for Subaru Motorsports. Speed bested his teammate Travis Pastrana and competitor Kevin Hansen to take home a win for the American-based team.
Speed got off to a great start and found himself in a close battle with Pastrana and Hansen in the early laps. He continued to stay in the lead and by lap two was able to slow up Hansen to let Pastrana closer to the battle. This ultimately helped as Pastrana now had to deal with Hansen as Speed took away out front. After a solid joker strategy and a rapidly fast Subaru, Speed and Pastrana were able to take home first and second respectively with Kevin Hansen bringing up the rear.
This marks Subaru Motorsports’ first-ever event victory in Nitro Rallycross history as well as the first time a Hansen has not been on the top step. The American’s were finally able to get the home field advantage and take the win in the process.
After this weekend’s victory, Scott Speed is now tied with Timmy Hansen for a total of 87 points on the season. As both drivers are tied in the championship with three rounds to go, each will look to capitalize on every round as they head towards Phoenix in a month’s time.
Meanwhile, in the NRX NEXT class Sage Karam was able to recover from an epic start to win the race following a puncture for Martin Enlund and George Meginnis. Karam was spun at the start of lap one but fought his way back after 6 laps to take the checkered flag once the carnage had subsided. After a penalty for contact, Megennis was disqualified from the results subsequently moving Enlund and Lane Vacala up to second and third respectively.
The Nitro Rallycross Championship continues with the next round at Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona in a month’s time. Wild Horse joins the calendar as another new track for the season as it has a similar form to ERX in its use for the Lucas Oil Off-Road series.
