MONROE, Washington (September 7, 2017) – Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust is looking for redemption as the Global Rallycross Championship returns to Evergreen Speedway this weekend in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
Foust won the race in Monroe, Washington, last season and the versatile driver says he is returning to familiar territory. He has won Formula Drift series battles at the track as well as raced nearby on a course once used by Group B cars in the World Rally Championship.
“I love competing in this region,” said Foust. “I’ve been racing here since the start of my career. I spent eight seasons in Formula Drift at Evergreen Speedway and raced the Olympus Rally not too far from here when I was running stage rally. I’m looking forward to being back.”
The oval track, located about a half-hour outside Seattle, is a popular venue for action motorsport and plays host to Formula Drift events each July. It is configured for rallycross this month to include dirt, jumps, and a Joker lap.
This weekend brings a doubleheader competition to the facility for the first time, with two full points scoring races set to take place Friday through Sunday. Full coverage airs Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
With just three races remaining in the 2017 season, the championship battle is heating up. Foust is looking to make a comeback after a tough weekend at the Atlantic City doubleheader in August.
“To go from the points lead to third in one weekend in Atlantic City was a disappointment. But with 162 points on the line for two races this weekend, this is a championship that is far from over and my redemption story starts now.”
Heading into this weekend, Foust is narrowly in third — just three points behind rival Steve Arpin in second place. Volkswagen teammate Scott Speed currently leads the standings. Foust and Speed are both two-time series champions and the two have traded the points lead this season. Partner Volkswagen leads the manufacturer’s championship.
In addition to the battle for the 2017 title, Foust is also facing another Global Rallycross Championship competition. Voting to determine the series’ Fan Favorite driver is now open. Fans can vote once per hour from now until the season finale for their favorite driver. Fans have awarded Foust the Fan Favorite honor each year since it was established in 2013.
Turn 10 Studios’ Forza Motorsport 7 will also be at the event offering fan experiences and giveaways. Fans can demo Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One X and walk away with exclusive DLC.
Rallycross is an action-packed blend of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally. Drivers line up in heats of up to 10 cars for hard-hitting competition over a challenging short course featuring jumps, unbanked turns, hills and transitions between pavement and gravel.
SHARE IT: Tanner Foust and the @RockstarEnergyDrink @VW are looking for redemption in the Pacific Northwest. #SendIt
Tanner Foust is looking for redemption as GRC heads to the Seattle header for Rounds 10 and 11, the last doubleheader weekend of the season. (Photo: VARX)
ABOUT TANNER FOUST
Tanner Foust is a versatile and multi-talented driver known for his supreme car control and a proven track record of podium placements, national championships and world records. He is a three-time U.S. rallycross champion (2012, 2011, 2010) who has also won four X Games gold medals (2013, 2010, 2007), and two Formula Drift championships (2008, 2007).
He has held multiple world records including for the astonishing Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare, which saw Foust drive a car through a 66-foot loop-the-loop. He scored the indoor speed record for TV’s Top Gear USA, and set a distance jump record with Hot Wheels when he made a 332′ ramp-to-ramp leap in a truck at the Indy 500.
His varied race experience also includes multiple years of open wheel competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, various types of sports car racing and the SCORE Baja. He has represented the USA in the annual Race of Champions three times, teaming with NASCAR star Carl Edwards in 2008, Travis Pastrana in 2009, and Mick Doohan in 2010.
When he isn’t racing, the professional driver also performs on television and handles stunt driving in popular films, TV shows and commercials. He is featured as a stunt driver in Need 4 Speed, as well as other major releases including the Bourne Legacy, Bourne Ultimatum, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Red Dawn and Iron Man 2.
ABOUT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, e-Golf, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at http://www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.
ABOUT ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
Based in Indianapolis and led by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success. Together with Andretti Formula E and Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, Andretti Autosport fields multiple entries in the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights, along with entries in the FIA Formula E Championship and Global Rallycross. The company boasts four IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2012), two Indy Lights titles (2008, 2009), one Pro Mazda championship (2013) and one USF2000 championship (2010) and has captured victory at the famed Indianapolis 500 four times (2005, 2007, 2014, 2016). Additionally the team holds two X Games Gold Medals and one Global Rallycross championship (2015). To share in the Andretti story, please visit online at AndrettiAutosport.com and follow along on Twitter via @FollowAndretti.
ABOUT ROCKSTAR
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles — from athletes to rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in more than 30 countries, Rockstar supports the rockstar lifestyle across the globe through action sports, motor sports, and live music. More at http://www.RockstarEnergy.com
