Sandell wins pole for Red Bull GRC Daytona

In a repeat of last year, and carrying his momentum from a victory in Dallas two weeks ago, Patrik Sandell posted the fastest time in qualifying for the first Red Bull Global Rallycross round at Daytona International Speedway. With a lap of 36.981 seconds, Sandell topped Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross driver and points leader Tanner Foust to earn the pole.

Sandell was one of three Ford drivers to advance to the second round of qualifying, compared to two Hondas and one Volkswagen. Foust posted the fastest time of the first round at 37.113 seconds, but fell off slightly in the final round to relinquish his three-race pole streak.

Foust’s VARX teammate Scott Speed, meanwhile, wasn’t even lucky enough to post a time. Despite pacing final practice with a lap time of 37.599, a fire forced Speed to make an engine swap and miss qualifying, leaving him at the back of the grid for tomorrow’s heat races. AD Racing’s Sebastian Saavedra also was unable to make it to the session to register a time.

In GRC Lites, Tanner Whitten’s limited schedule with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing continued with his second pole in two attempts so far this year. As with the event at Fair Park in Dallas two weeks ago, he nipped defending Daytona winner Oliver Eriksson for the top time, this time beating the Swede for the pole by only .057 seconds. Phoenix I winner Miki Weckstrom, points leader Cabot Bigham, and Phoenix II winner Conner Martell completed the top five.

Supercar qualifying results for Red Bull GRC Daytona (I) are as follows:

1. Patrik Sandell, #18 Bryan Herta Rallysport Ford Fiesta ST, 36.981
2. Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle, 37.157
3. Brian Deegan, #38 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST, 37.319
4. Steve Arpin, #00 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST, 37.725
5. Sebastian Eriksson, #93 Honda Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Civic Coupe, 37.783
6. Joni Wiman, #31 Honda Red Bull Olsbergs MSE Civic Coupe, 37.906
7. Austin Dyne, #14 AD Racing Ford Fiesta ST, 38.267
8. Jeff Ward, #07 SH Rallycross/DRR Ford Fiesta ST,
9. Rhys Millen, #67 Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster,
10. Scott Speed, #41 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle, no time
11. Sebastian Saavedra, #77 AD Racing Ford Fiesta ST, no time

Red Bull Global Rallycross