The second half of the 2016 Red Bull Global Rallycross season kicks off with a return to Washington DC and a new course layout at RFK Stadium. Defending race winner Nelson Piquet Jr. returns to a Supercar for the first time this season to go for back-to-back victories in the nation’s capital.
Defending Supercar champion Scott Speed finally broke through for his first victory of the 2016 season with a last-lap pass at Marine Corps Air Station New River. After an early mechanical failure for Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan inherited the lead for most of the race, only to lose the top spot in the Joker Lap on the final lap of the race. Steve Arpin completed the podium behind Speed and Deegan.
Nelson Piquet Jr. rejoins SH Rallycross/DRR for this weekend’s event in hopes of defending his Washington DC victory last year. “I’ve missed competing," said Piquet, "in Red Bull GRC with SH Rallycross/DRR. I had such a great couple of seasons with the team and I love rallycross. Sulli and I are friends and have kept in touch. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to race again with the team that helped me get my first GRC victory.” In 22 starts for the team from 2014-15, Piquet earned eight podium finishes and finished fourth in the final standings in both seasons.
This year’s Washington DC course returns to Lot 8 of RFK Stadium, but reverses direction as part of an entirely new .899-mile layout. The 10-turn course includes a new technical section beneath the DC Metro, and a jump leading directly to the finish line. Click here for more information on the track.
With the right combination of finishes this weekend, any of the top five drivers in Supercar points can leave Red Bull GRC Washington DC with the championship lead. Current leader Tanner Foust (295 points), Steve Arpin (286), and Scott Speed (279) have the best chance of heading to Atlantic City on top; fourth-place Brian Deegan (248) and fifth-place Patrik Sandell (243) are also within striking distance this weekend and can take the top spot by capitalizing on others’ potential struggles.
“I am very excited for Washington DC again. My first time here it was fantastic, and we won. The second time, we placed second. I am happy to have Nelson back—I told him to watch my back now, as I was watching his back last year. Hopefully the weekend will treat me well.” -Patrik Sandell
Located in nearby Herndon, Virginia, Red Bull GRC Washington DC represents a home race for Volkswagen USA. Drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed, combined winners of three Supercar titles, have yet to crack the podium, but both enter the weekend as favorites; Foust has already tied the single-season record for heat and semifinal wins with 16, while Speed is the series’ most recent race winner at MCAS New River.
For the first time, Red Bull GRC steps into the world of fantasy sports this weekend with Pick 5 Fantasy Rallycross presented by BFGoodrich Tires. Throughout the week, fans have submitted entries to series social channels selecting five Supercar drivers to represent them in the final five rounds of the 2016 season. The fan whose selections earn the most combined points will win a prize pack from BFGoodrich Tires and signed memorabilia from each driver.
TUNE IN INFORMATION:
Saturday, July 30, 2PM ET on NBC Saturday, July 30, 2:30PM ET on Red Bull TV
Photo by Red Bull Content Pool