GRC: Foust regains points lead with Seattle win

Tanner Foust regained the Red Bull Global Rallycross points lead in the series' return to Seattle at Evergreen Speedway on Saturday. He grabbed his career-best fourth victory of 2016 in the final, holding off the Honda Red Bull Olsbergs MSE duo of Sebastian Eriksson and Joni Wiman.

"The track was gnarly. It was weird to go the normal NASCAR way around the track," said Foust. "The drift track was the other direction. All the teams had a big battle. Volkswagen and Andretti pulled it off and it was spectacular. It was really great to see so many new fans to a sport that I really believe in. I think there's a long future, so hope to see you again next year!"

Foust and Steve Arpin won Friday's first round heats, while Foust and Sebastian Eriksson took the second round heats. The latter duo also won a chaotic semifinal round, which saw Scott Speed pull off early after rear-ending Chris Atkinson when his hood flew up and obscured his windshield. Every driver in the stacked last chance qualifier was a former Supercar race winner, but not all could make the final; in the end, Patrik Sandell found himself the odd man out, with Joni Wiman the session winner.

Foust and Eriksson continued their strong performances by getting off the line quickly in the final and asserting first and second. A poor start for Chris Atkinson bunched up the outside of the field, allowing Wiman to get around and take third place.

The podium was settled fairly early on, but there were plenty of battles behind them for position. Early issues for Austin Dyne and David Higgins eliminated them from the battle for the victory early on. Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Steve Arpin and Brian Deegan were locked in a battle for fifth that ended with Deegan fading late and relinquishing sixth to a resurgent Atkinson. Speed, meanwhile, recovered from his semifinal incident and LCQ appearance to post a fourth place result.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS:

Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle
Sebastian Eriksson, #93 Honda Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Civic Coupe
Joni Wiman, #31 Honda Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Civic Coupe
Scott Speed, #41 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle
Steve Arpin, #00 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST
Chris Atkinson, #55 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
Brian Deegan, #38 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST
Nelson Piquet Jr., #07 SH Rallycross/DRR Ford Fiesta ST
David Higgins, #75 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
Austin Dyne, #14 AD Racing Ford Fiesta ST
Patrik Sandell, #18 Bryan Herta Rallysport Ford Fiesta ST