2021 NRX: Glen Helen Preview
Subaru Motorsports USA took a second consecutive Nitro Rallycross event win and double podium at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park with drivers Travis Pastrana and Scott Speed, as Pastrana dominated the weekend in his blue and gold #199 WRX STI on the all-dirt Phoenix layout and earned his first rallycross victory since 2012. The Nitro Rallycross mastermind, fresh from locking up his sixth U.S. stage rally title at Oregon Trail Rally, captured the top qualifying spot on Saturday and made it a flawless weekend with wins from pole position in both the first heat race and the Sunday afternoon final.
Scott Speed entered the weekend tied for the lead in the NRX driver’s championship lead after a win in Minneapolis in October, and after an unusual early exit in the qualifying battles fought back through the heat races, semifinals, and final to earn third overall. With Pastrana and Speed in a narrow fight with Timmy Hansen for the championship lead, the Subaru rallycross effort heads directly from Phoenix to the fourth round of the 2021 NRX championship November 20-21, to be held at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California.
The Glen Helen round will bring back a familiar face, as Andres Bakkerud returns for his third NRX round of the year with Subaru in the #13 WRX STI. The Norwegian ace rejoins the team after being crowned 2021 European Rallycross Champion and will look for more epic battles with his longtime rivals the Hansen brothers.
Tune in and watch live Saturday and Sunday on Peacock TV in the U.S. or YouTube everywhere else, and make sure to follow Subaru Motorsports USA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok for all the latest updates!
Quotes from the drivers:
Travis Pastrana
“Amazing to come out of Phoenix with a win and into second in the championship! The Wild Horse Pass track was very technical with lots of jumps, and the dirt grooved in over the course of the weekend and made the conditions change a lot as the weekend went on. We have fewer jumps this week at Glen Helen but being in the dirt again will keep the track surface changing, and we need to take advantage wherever we can. The final round in Florida is very tight with a lot of pavement which probably won’t favor my driving style… that makes Glen Helen a must win for me and my championship hopes.”
Scott Speed:
“Wild Horse Pass was one of the most challenging tracks we have had in Nitro RX… the racing was fierce all weekend but we were able to come away with great points. Surviving was a victory, with all the battles, heats, semis and final, so a podium finish was no small task. All the tracks this year have been so amazing, so I’m really looking forward to what Glen Helen has in store.”
Andreas Bakkerud:
“Stoked to be back again with Subaru Motorsports USA! I feel I have some unfinished business in the Nitro Rallycross championship and I can`t wait to see what Travis brings out the box in the next race at Glen Helen just outside LA. I`m pretty sure it will be a track that thrills. I was watching the previous race, and I must say that Travis’ latest win was some of the most impressive action I`ve ever seen in RX. He`s in form, so I will be looking to get back to top form quickly with him and Scott!”
