As we mentioned on the podcast earlier this week, Red Bull GRC’s stop in Daytona has the biggest and most dynamic track to date. The 0.924 mile circuit features the joker in turn one to split the field and preventing the infamous pile ups that caused red flags in past events. Additionally this course has long enough straights that the cars are reaching 120MPH!
Qualifying, Heat 1, and Heat 2 are already complete. What I could best discern from their tweeted commentary, this course is allowing for very close racing with multiple overtaking opportunities. It will be quite interesting to see who is best on this type of course, circuit drivers or the rallyists? So far Red Bull GRC’s newest Flying Fin, Joni Wiman, has been dominant in Daytona. Joni has been on the cusp of winning before, but small mistakes and bad luck have prevented him from reaching the top of the podium. If he keeps going like he did today, Joni Wiman very well could sweep the field in Daytona.
Here’s the official preview for Saturday’s race, so be sure to tune-in to NBC at 2:30PM Eastern to catch what should be some of the best racing Red Bull GRC has ever had. Official preview from Red Bull GRC regarding today’s results and what we’ll see on Saturday are below.
Joni Wiman Earns Second Pole of Season at Red Bull GRC Daytona
Joni Wiman earned his second pole of the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross season at Daytona International Speedway, the series’ inaugural event at the track. Wiman, whose first pole came at X Games Austin, posted the fastest lap time by just under one tenth of a second over Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross driver Scott Speed.
Full results from Supercars qualifying at Red Bull Global Rallycross Daytona are as follows:
- Joni Wiman, #31 Olsbergs MSE Ford, 1:02.120
- Scott Speed, #77 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, 1:02.215
- Patrik Sandell, #18 Olsbergs MSE Ford, 1:02.297
- Rhys Millen, #67 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing, 1:02.645
- Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford, 1:02.882
- Steve Arpin, #00 Royal Purple Racing/OMSE2 Ford, 1:02.940
- Sverre Isachsen, #11 Subaru Rally Team USA, 1:03.311
- Bucky Lasek, #81 Subaru Rally Team USA, 1:03.815
- Nelson Piquet Jr., #07 SH Racing Rallycross, 1:03.857
- Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, 1:04.489
- Austin Dyne, #14 Barracuda Racing Ford, 1:04.837
- Emma Gilmour, #27 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing, 1:05.623
- Pat Moro, #59 Chevrolet Sonic Racing/PMR Motorsports, 1:07.900
- Sarah Burgess, #04 BMI Racing Chevrolet, 1:20.218
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Polesitter Wiman Sweeps Heats in First Day of Red Bull GRC Daytona
Olsbergs MSE driver Joni Wiman followed up the fastest time in seeding with a pair of heat victories in the first day of Red Bull Global Rallycross Daytona, held at Daytona International Speedway. He joined four other drivers as a heat winner during the event, held on the largest course of the 2014 Red Bull GRC season.
Wiman, Scott Speed, and Patrik Sandell qualified first, second, and third, and followed up those lap times with victories in Heat 1A, 1B, and 1C, respectively. Ken Block and Nelson Piquet Jr. got by Sandell in Heat 2A, while Speed had a mechanical failure in Heat 2C, allowing Steve Arpin to take the heat victory and making Wiman the only driver to go two for two.
In GRC Lites, Mitchell DeJong earned the fastest lap time and coasted to an easy heat victory over Geoff Sykes, Alejandro Fernandez, Tyler Benson, and Blake Fuller.
Action at Red Bull Global Rallycross Daytona resumes on Saturday, with the Supercars semifinals and last chance qualifier, final round of Lites heats, and main events in both classes. Tickets are available online at http://www.redbullglobalrallycross.com/DIS, over the phone at 1-800-PITSHOP, or on site at the event. Red Bull Global Rallycross Daytona will be broadcast on Saturday at 2:30PM ET on your local NBC affiliate, as well as streamed online athttp://liveextra.nbcsports.com.
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ABOUT RED BULL GRC: Designed to produce the fastest and most exciting racing in motorsports, Red Bull Global Rallycross pits small production-based cars against each other in door-to- door racing featuring dirt, asphalt, and tabletop jumps. With enhanced engineering and safety features, the cars produce 600 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in less than two seconds, and can also withstand 70-foot jumps and other vehicle contact. For more information visit www.RedBullGlobalRallycross.com.