The 2023-24 Nitrocross season continues this weekend with rounds 6 and 7 at the Glen Helen Raceway in California.
Championship Rundown
Kevin Eriksson retained the championship lead after rounds 4 and 5 in Phoenix. However, Eriksson’s lead over 2022-23 champion Robin Larsson has been cut down to just one point. Larsson’s teammate Andreas Bakkerud sits third in the championship, 44 points behind Larsson. Round one and four winner Fraser McConnell heads into rounds 6 and 7 in fourth position, a mere two points behind Bakkerud. Series creator Travis Pastrana rounds out the championship top five. As the 2021 champion sits 52 points behind McConnell.
A Fresh Face
Viktor Vranckx will make his Nitrocross debut this weekend at Nitrocross Glen Helen. Vranckx comes into the championship with a decent pedigree. As Vranckx won the 2022 World RX2e championship. Vranckx and VMV Racing decided to move to Nitrocross after voicing their displeasure with how the FIA and World RX promoter handled the Lydenn Hill incident earlier this year. Vranckx isn’t expected to finish on the podium this weekend as he will require time to get used to not only that 1000hp FC1-X, but also the track design. As a result of Vranckx being used to racing on a more traditional Rallycross track. Ones that don’t feature gap jump or share features with motocross tracks.
A Returning Face
Brian Deegan will once again join the Group E class of drivers. Deegan placed 9th and 8th at rounds 4 and 5 respectively. The multi-time X Games medalist will look to continue his historic rivalry with Travis Pastrana in Group E and the Side-by-Side classes this weekend. Deegan made his Group E debut last time out in Phoenix. Marking his first Rallycross event at the top level since 2016. Deegan wasn’t expected to be at Nitrocross Glen Helen. However, a seat was open with Dreyer and Reinbold racing and he took the opportunity.
The second and final day of Nitrocross Phoenix has come to an end. Robin Larsson claimed his second win of the season.
Heats
Group One
Fraser McConnell took home the win in the first heat group to advance to the top qualifier finals. McConnell posted a time 7.167 seconds faster than teammate Brian Deegan.
Group Two
Andreas Bakkerud topped the second heat group. Setting a time 0.616 seconds faster than rival Oliver Eriksson.
Group Three
Robin Larsson won the third heat group to join Bakkerud and McConnell in the top qualifier finals. Larsson posted a time 2.457 seconds faster than Conner Martell to take the win.
Group Four
Travis Pastrana topped the final heat group to prevent yesterday’s top qualifier Kevin Eriksson from winning again today. Pastrana set a time 1.416 seconds faster than Eriksson to take the win. Casper Jansson did not finish the race.
Qualifying
Group One
Conner Martell topped the first qualifying group by technically. As Brian Deegan set the fastest time, however, Deegan was penalized one place. This was due to Deegan hitting Martell causing Martell to spin.
Group Two
Oliver Eriksson won the second qualifying group. Posting a time 0.863 seconds faster than Casper Jansson. Championship leader Kevin Eriksson finished third, 8.510 seconds slower than Jansson.
Top Qualifier
Travis Pastrana won his first top qualifier belt of the season. Beating Robin Larsson by 0.395 seconds. Andreas Bakkerud finished third fastest, 1.597 seconds slower than Larsson. Fraser McConnell rounded out the top four, finishing 28.201 seconds slower than Bakkerud.
Semifinals
Group One
Robin Larsson took the win in the first semifinal group. Posting a time 1.006 seconds faster than Conner Martell. Casper Jansson finished third fastest, 1.440 seconds slower than Martell. Fraser McConnell rounded out the top four, finishing 43.784 seconds slower than Jansson.
Group Two
Travis Pastrana topped the second semifinal group. Setting a time 0.413 seconds faster than Oliver Eriksson. Andreas Bakkerud finished third fastest, 0.453 seconds slower than Eriksson. Kevin Eriksson posted the fourth fastest time, 3.678 seconds slower than Bakkerud. Brian Deegan rounded out the top five, finishing 7.663 seconds slower than Eriksson.
Last Chance Qualifier
Group One
Fraser McConnell won the first LCQ group to advance to the finals. Posting a time 1.133 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud. Brian Deegan finished third fastest, 3.614 seconds slower than Bakkerud. Conner Martell rounded out the top four and missed out on the finals, finishing with a time 4.636 seconds slower than Deegan.
Group Two
Kevin Eriksson topped the second LCQ group. Setting a time 0.936 seconds faster than his brother Oliver. Casper Jansson rounded out the top three, finishing 0.840 seconds slower than Oliver Eriksson.
Final
Robin Larsson took home the win for his second of the season. Larsson set a time 0.475 seconds faster than Nitrocross Phoenix Friday winner Fraser McConnell. Kevin Eriksson finished third fastest, 1.392 seconds slower than McConnell. Casper Jansson posted the fourth fastest time, 0.371 seconds slower than Eriksson. Travis Pastrana rounded out the top five, finishing 0.068 seconds slower than Jansson.
Nitrocross Phoenix Friday Recap
Nitrocross Phoenix day one has come to an end, Casper Jansson claimed his second win of the season at the event.
Heat
Casper Jansson topped the first NEXT heat of Nitrocross Phoenix. Setting a time 0.829 seconds faster than championship leader Jimmy Henderson. Lia Block finished third fastest, 0.264 seconds slower than Henderson. Lane Vacala posted the fourth fastest time, 2.666 seconds slower than Block. Patrick Gruszka rounded the top five, 1.008 seconds slower than Vacala.
Semifinal
Casper Jansson also took the win in the semifinals. Posting a time 1.413 seconds faster than championship rival Lane Vacala. Patrick Gruszka finished third fastest, 2.507 seconds slower than Vacala. Lia Block set the fourth fastest time, 4.781 seconds slower than fellow American Rally Association driver Gruszka. Eric Gordon and Jimmy Henderson tied for fifth. As neither driver finished the race and both retired on the same lap.
Finals
Casper Jansson also won the finals, to secure his second win of the season. Jansson would set a time 5.755 seconds faster than Lane Vacala to secure the win. Lia Block finished third fastest, 0.351 seconds slower than Vacala. Eric Gordon posted the fourth fastest time, 12.742 seconds slower than Block. Jimmy Henderson rounded out the top five, finishing 11.536 seconds slower than Gordon. Patrick Gruszka unfortunately rolled out during the finals.
Championship Standings
Lane Vacala takes the NEXT championship lead after the first day of Nitrocross Phoenix. Vacala now sits 14 points ahead of Jimmy Henderson. Reigning champion Casper Jansson sits third in the championship, 21 points behind Henderson. Eric Gordon drops to fourth in the championship, now Gordon sits 4 points behind Jansson. Lia Block retains fifth in the championship, closing the gap between her and Gordon to 31 points from 42. This comes after Block took home her first Nitrocross NEXT podium.
The first day and round of Nitrocross Phoenix has come to an end. Fraser McConnell claimed his second win of the season.
Heats
Group One
Teammates Brian Deegan and Fraser McConnell battled in the first heat group. Deegan took the heat win, after McConnell failed to finish the race due to an issue with his car.
Group Two
Andreas Bakkerud and Oliver Eriksson squared off in the second heat group. Bakkerud took home the win, setting a time 0.177 seconds faster than Eriksson.
Group Three
Reigning champion Robin Larsson and Conner Martel faced off in the third heat group. Larsson took home the win after Martell failed to finish the race due to an issue with his car.
Group Four
Kevin Eriksson, Travis Pastrana and Casper Jansson battled in the fourth and final heat group. Eriksson took home the win, posting a time 0.793 seconds faster than Pastrana.
Qualifiers
Group One
Fraser McConnell and Conner Martell faced off in the first qualifier group. Martell took home the win, after McConnell once again failed to finish the race. Once again due to McConnell’s car being broken.
Group Two
Travis Pastrana, Oliver Eriksson and Casper Jansson squared off in the second qualifier group. Pastrana followed his Vermont Sportscar teammate and also took home the win in his group. Pastrana posted a time 2.704 seconds faster than Oliver Eriksson to secure the win.
Top Qualifier Final
Kevin Eriksson, Robin Larsson, Andreas Bakkerud and Brian Deegan faced off in the Top Qualifier Final. Eriksson took home the win, setting a time 1.063 seconds faster than Robin Larsson. Andreas Bakkerud finished third fastest, 2.092 seconds slower than Larsson.
Semi-Finals
Group One
Robin Larsson, Conner Martell, Oliver Eriksson and Brian Deegan battled in the first semifinal group. Larsson took home the win to advance to the top row of the finals. Posting a time 1.960 seconds faster than Martell. Oliver Eriksson finished third, 0.367 seconds slower than Martell.
Group Two
Travis Pastrana, Casper Jansson, Andreas Bakkerud, Kevin Eriksson and Fraser McConnell squared off in the second semifinal group. Pastrana took home the win, posting a time 2.273 seconds faster than Casper Jansson to seal his spot in the finals. Andreas Bakkerud finished third, 20.610 seconds slower than Jansson.
Last Chance Qualifier
Group One
Fraser McConnell, Conner Martell, Andreas Bakkerud and Brian Deegan battled for a spot in the finals in the first LCQ group. McConnell took home the win, posting a time 0.75 seconds faster than Martell. Andreas Bakkerud finished third fastest, 1.49 seconds slower than Martell.
Group Two
Kevin Eriksson, Oliver Eriksson and Casper Jansson squared off in the second LCQ group. Kevin Eriksson set a time 1.077 seconds faster than his brother Oliver to take the win. Casper Jansson finished third fastest, 1.28 seconds slower than Oliver Eriksson. All three drivers advanced to the finals.
Finals
Fraser McConnell, Robin Larsson, Travis Pastrana, Kevin Eriksson, Andreas Bakkerud, Oliver Eriksson, Casper Jansson, and Conner Martell faced off in the Nitrocross Phoenix final. Fraser McConnell took home his second win of the season, posting a time 0.375 seconds faster than Robin Larsson. Travis Pastrana finished third overall, despite setting the fastest time. Pastrana was given a 2 place penalty for contact during the final. Dropping him to third as a result. Pastrana originally finished 1.16 seconds faster than McConnell.
Championship Standings After Nitrocross Phoenix Day One
Kevin Eriksson retains the championship lead after the first round of the weekend. Eriksson now sits 23 points ahead of reigning champion Robin Larsson. Andreas Bakkerud retains third in the championship, now sitting 20 points behind Larsson. Fraser McConnell moves into sole possession of fourth in the championship, 16 points behind Bakkerud. Travis Pastrana drops to sole possession of fifth, 7 points behind McConnell.
Nitrocross Phoenix Preview Group E
The 2023-24 Nitrocross season continues this weekend with Nitrocross Phoenix. Find out everything you need to know below.
Championship Standings
Jimmy Henderson leads the Nitrocross NEXT championship heading into Nitrocross Phoenix. Henderson actively sits a mere 2 points ahead of Lane Vacala. Vacala has won all but one of the four NEXT rounds this season. Eric Gordon sits third in the championship, 23 points behind Vacala. Casper Jansson is fourth in the championship, 23 points behind Gordon. Lia Block rounds out the championship top five, sitting 22 points behind Jansson.
No Jansson This Weekend
Casper Jansson is the only driver outside of Lane Vacala with a win in the NEXT class this season. However this weekend Jansson is taking the next step. As the Swede will be jumping behind the wheel of an FC1-X in the Group E class. Jansson has been arguably the strongest driver in the NEXT class the past two seasons. Consistently challenging other drivers and winning a handful of events. Jansson will also drive in the NEXT class this weekend. Pulling double duty all weekend long. However, Jansson will likely focus a little more on Group E as not many drivers get a chance to drive the 1000-horsepower FC1-X.
Could This Be The Weekend?
Lia Block has been a strong competitor this season in NEXT. Making her debut at Nitrocross Oklahoma earlier this year. Block is without a win at this point in the season. However, that has the potential to change this weekend. Lia had a lacklustre showing at her home event in Utah last time out. Finishing 6th and 4th over the weekend. Block could bounce back to take home a win this weekend. Lia finished third fastest in free practice for Nitrocross Phoenix, 1.366 seconds behind Patrick Gruszka who finished fastest. With only 5 drivers competing in the NEXT class this weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity for Lia.
The 2023-24 Nitrocross season continues this weekend with Nitrocross Pheonix. Find out everything you need to know below.
Championship Standings
Kevin Eriksson leads the Group E championship standings heading into Nitrocross Phoenix. Eriksson currently sits 31 points ahead of reigning champion Robin Larsson. Last year’s runner-up Andreas Bakkerud sits third, just three points behind his teammate. Fraser McConnell and Travis Pastrana sit tied for fourth in the championship. With both drivers sitting 24 points behind Bakkerud. Conner Martell rounds out the top five in the championship. With Martell currently sitting 6 points behind Pastrana and McConnell.
Needing A Bounce Back
Fraser McConnell had a disappointing Nitrocross Utah. Failing to make the final in the first round of the weekend. McConnell did have a better second half. Finishing fourth overall. However, McConnell needs to have a decent showing this weekend if he wants to stay a strong competitor in the championship. As does every other driver.
Looking For His First
Kevin Eriksson leads the Group E Championship standings heading into Nitrocross Phoenix. However, the Swede has yet to win an event this season. He has podiumed at every event. However, it’s unlikely Eriksson will be able to keep the championship lead for long if he goes without a win soon. Phoenix may be the perfect place for Eriksson to take his first, and potentially second of the season.
No XITE Energy
XITE Energy will be absent from Nitrocross Phoenix. This comes after Oliver Bennett was forced out of the event due to a back injury. Kris Meeke is also absent from Nitrocross once again this weekend. The reason for Meeke’s absence is currently unknown. Tanner Foust filled in for Meeke last time out in Utah. However, with Bennett backing out just a week before the events start, XITE had no time to line up a new driver. Effectively this weekend seals the deal on Bennett’s championship chances along with XITE’s chance at a team championship.
Nitrocross and XITE Energy have announced Oliver Bennett will miss round 4&5 in Phoenix next week.
Why Will Bennett Miss?
Oliver Bennett hasn’t been medically cleared to compete. Bennett suffered a back injury that is believed to be unrelated to Nitrocross. With the injury likely happening between the end of round three and now. This is an understandable reason to miss an event. Even if Bennett was medically cleared there’s no guarantee he would’ve competed next weekend. As the nature of Nitrocross tracks could have caused Bennett to become injured again. Nitrocross does ensure drivers are as safe as possible, using as much safety equipment as possible. However, this doesn’t prevent injuries from happening 100% of the time. It’s unfortunate to see Bennett miss the event but health and safety come first and foremost. Hopefully, Bennett will be recovered and ready for round 6&7 in California in December.
What This Means For XITE Energy
As of the time of this article being released (November 3rd), XITE Energy has no confirmed drivers for Nitrocross Phoenix. With just 7 days until the event starts, there isn’t much time for XITE to find a replacement unless they have one lined up. Kris Meeke will once again be absent from the event it’s not what XITE was hoping for. With such short notice, there’s no guarantee that XITE will be able to find anybody in time and they may just end up missing Phoenix altogether. This would be a huge hit for the team. Not only in the team’s championship but also in gaining experience. Sure the XITE drivers have been off the pace so far this season and last season. However, any seat time in an event is valuable for a driver. As the only way you improve is by driving the car.
Former Rallycross driver Brian Deegan will join the Group E class for Nitrocross Phoenix next month. Find out more below.
An Off-road Motorsports Icon
Brian Deegan has done basically everything involving Off-Road motorsports. From two-wheel to four-wheels. Deegan has won 16 X Games medals, including 4 gold medals. Three of those medals are Motocross medals whilst the fourth is a Rallycross gold medal. Deegan is the most decorated freestyle motocross rider in history. In 2011 Deegan made his Rallycross debut. Finishing third in his first event and winning his fourth. Between 2011 and 2016 Deegan finished on the podium 18 times out of the 42 events he competed in. Winning two events, including his final Rallycross event in 2016.
Joining An Established Team
Brian Deegan will suit up for the Dreyer and Reinbold team for rounds 4 and 5 of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season. The Dreyer and Reinbold team currently sit fourth in the Nitrocross teams championship. Having had the Jamaican sensation Fraser McConnell and IndyCar star Conor Daly drive for the team. This team is the sister team to the most successful team in the Group E era of Nitrocross. The Dreyer and Reinbold JC team won both the Drivers and Teams championship last season. With Robin Larsson winning the championship last season and Andreas Bakkerud finishing second in the championship. With Brian Deegan suiting up in the second Dreyer and Reinbold car for Nitrocross Phoenix Conor Daly likely won’t be at the event.
Brian Deegan commented on his Nitrocross debut. Saying the following “I’m really looking forward to this new challenge. Nitrocross is a whole different animal, but I love pushing my limits and trying new things. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has a strong track record winning the team championship along with going 1-2-3 in the driver’s championships, and I believe this partnership will be a winning one,”
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing owner Dennis Reinbold would say “We are elated to have Brian Deegan join our team for Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season,” Rienbold continued, “Brian’s fearless attitude and his drive to conquer new challenges are qualities that resonate deeply with our team. We believe that this collaboration will ignite the racing world with excitement and intensity.”
All comments taken from the Dreyer And Reinbold press release.
Earlier today (October 19th) Nitrocross announced the final round of the 2023-24 Nitrocross season will take place in Las Vegas.
The City That Never Sleeps
Nitrocross is going big to end its third season of competition. It doesn’t get much bigger than Las Vegas. Nitrocross track designers in collaboration with Travis Pastrana will build a brand new track just off the iconic Las Vegas strip. The track will feature banked corners, steep berms, tarmac sections and a 130-foot gap jump. Not much about the track is known as a result of it just being announced. However, more about the track will be learned over time as the track is built. Currently, the Nitrocross team has started building a facility to host the event beside the Formula 1 paddock on Koval Lane.
A Full Event Experience
As with any Nitrocross event this season there will be a full event experience. With plenty of entertainment off the track, including Nitro Circus, live music, gaming zone, food trucks, Remote Control Cars and more! The new Nitrocross Las Vegas HQ will feature a new Nitro Club hospitality center for fans seeking an elevated race experience. Which includes a private spectating area of the full event.
Nitrocross creator Travis Pastrana on why Las Vegas was chosen for the series finale, “This season has been the start of something truly amazing as we take Nitrocross to the next level, and I’m so excited to put an exclamation mark on it in Las Vegas. After feeling the incredible energy from all the fans who lined The Strip as we honored Evel Knievel, there is no better place to send it. And, while without a doubt it’s a global entertainment capital, this city is also passionate about motorsports, hosting huge races by F1, NASCAR, the Mint 400, and more. As we grow Nitrocross with amazing partners like the Fertitta brothers at Fiume and Dana White, I look forward to what we can build here.”
Nitrocross General Manager Chip Pankow added, “With Nitrocross, we are developing an all-new motorsport, one that drives innovation, elevates performance and is wall-to-wall entertainment from start to finish. We’re here to show fans the incredible performance from our 1,000+ hp electric cars on a track that is unlike anything they’ve seen before. Las Vegas is all about having a great time and is the perfect venue for our 2023-24 season finale.”
Nitrocross became a full-time championship back in 2021. Becoming the top Rallycross championship in America but how?
A Bit Of History
North America has never really had a completely stable Rallycross scene. With Global Rallycross running from 2011 until 2017 in North America. The championship featured drivers like Tanner Foust, Ken Block, Bucky Lasek and others. The championship left North America at the end of the 2017 season. With Scott Speed being the last champion. Winning his third consecutive championship.
The 2018 season saw a new championship start. This one was called America’s Rallycross. It’s lasted a whole two seasons, starting in 2018 and ending at the end of the 2019 season. Scott Speed continued his North American Rallycross domination, winning the inaugural season of the championship. Tanner Foust won the final season of the championship. Enter the 2020 season, or the lack thereof a 2020 season. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and there being no Rallycross Championship in America meant there was no professional Rallycross in America. That all changed in 2021 however.
Nitrocross History
Nitrocross, formerly Nitro Rallycross, started in 2018 as a one-off event. The event took place in both 2018 and 2019. Both times the event took place at the Utah Motorsports campus. The home of Nitro Rallycross’s parent, Nitro Circus. Nitro Rallycross was the brainchild of Travis Pastrana. With Pastrana building a track that combined Rallycross and motocross. Timmy Hansen won the 2018 event, with his brother Kevin winning in 2019. In 2020 the event didn’t run as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic being in full swing at that point.
Becoming A Full Championship
With there being no permanent Rallycross series in North America, Nitro Rallycross stepped up to the plate. Putting on a full calendar of events for the 2021 season. All tracks taking place in North America. Putting on a 5 round championship that took place from coast to coast in the USA. Series founder Travis Pastrana won the inaugural Nitrocross championship. Beating Scott Speed and Timmy Hansen to take home the championship. The 2022-23 season saw a change from Nitro Rallycross. With the series going to a fully electric spec series. The calendar was expanded to 10 rounds, with two taking place overseas. Robin Larsson took home the championship after a hard-fought season.
What’s Next For Nitrocross?
Nitrocross doesn’t just want to be an America Rallycross championship, it wants to go international. Something that was made apparent last season. However for the 2023-24 season, the championship has no international rounds, but why? The team at Nitrocross wanted to focus on building up the championship before taking another run overseas. As last season’s run overseas didn’t go great. As the round in Finland was cancelled due to the track going bankrupt, and then the round in Saudi Arabia was also cancelled.