SRT Motorsports - Dodge Global RallyCross Series Race Recap - Summer X Games

June 30, 2012 , LOS ANGELES -  PASTRANA, MENZIES CAN’T ESCAPE CONTACT AT SUMMER X GAMES

LOS ANGELES (Sunday, July, 2012) – Dodge’s hopes of winning its first action sports medal in Global RallyCross competition came to an abrupt halt in Sunday’s Summer X Games competition as both Pastrana 199 Racing’s Dodge Darts failed to make the final round of competition due to separate, unavoidable on-track incidents.

Fast Dodge Darts weren’t the issue. Over-aggressive competitors were the culprits ending a weekend where the specifically-built Dodge Dart rally cars showed exceptional speed and handling over the 0.7-mile course in downtown Los Angeles.

In a dizzying day that saw both race cars return to the paddock on a flatbed, conflicting rules interpretations between the sanctioning body and ESPN added to the drama at Summer X 18.

After seeding his Dodge Dart No. 1 into Heat Four, Pastrana looked like a sure contender for an action sports medal as the Dodge driver started on the inside of the four-car grid. Pastrana grabbed the lead on a holeshot and was the leader as he braked for Turn One. Summer X Games rookie Andy Scott rammed into the back of Pastrana’s Dodge Dart, sending it into the concrete wall.

“I had the inside lane on the start, got to my standard braking spot and I was starting to turn in and picked up 30 mile-per-hour,” said a dejected Travis Pastrana after the incident. “The guy behind me (Scott) forgot to brake. Just incredible.

“It’s just frustrating because all the guys on this team have worked so hard to get this Red Bull/Discount Tire Dodge Dart to be one of the fastest cars in the Global RallyCross Series right now.”

Pastrana’s No. 199 Dodge suffered catastrophic damage. The team raced back to the paddock ready to prepare the backup Dodge of teammate Bryce Menzies for Pastrana to race in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Or so they thought. As crew members began to prepare the No. 99 Dodge for Pastrana to drive in the LCQ, ESPN officials intervened and over-ruled the Global RallyCross Series. Pastrana’s day was officially over.

“Global RallyCross (GRC) rules state that in extreme circumstances a driver can be replaced,” said Pastrana 199 Racing team manager Blair Stopnik. “So we weren’t replacing Travis’ car, we were replacing Bryce as a driver. We got that cleared through GRC; they approved. As soon as ESPN found out about it, (ESPN) said that they were running (the race) under their rules, and they don’t allow it. ESPN shut it down.”

As a result of ESPN’s decision, Pastrana’s racing day was over forcing him to wonder what might have been.

“This is my one big event a year and we had a car that could win this race,” Pastrana said. “I can’t believe that the car is toast. It’s so unfortunate for everyone on this team. Our Dodge Dart was fast. We tested, added some changes to pick up speed and to have it all get wasted on the first lap of the heat race is just sad.”

Teammate Bryce Menzies, the recent winner of the Baja 500, showed great potential behind the wheel of his Dodge Dart. Like Pastrana, Menzies was fast all weekend but was caught up in an incident on the first lap of his heat race as well.

Menzies started third and had moved to second as the field reached Turn 1, a fast 90-degree, right-hand turn. While under braking, his Dodge Dart was slammed into from the outside sending the racecar spinning. He recovered, but was fourth in the heat.

Looking to advance into the finals in the LCQ2, three red flags were displayed as drivers jumped the start, including Menzies. Once the LCQ did go green, it appeared that he would gain one of the two transfer spots after rocketing into second. Four turns later his day ended as mechanical issues sent his Dodge into the wall, ending his chances to advance to the Main Event.

“It was crazy,” said Menzies. “I had a great start but Andy (Scott) jumped the start and got red-flagged. We had to restart the race. On the second restart, I let my foot off the clutch just a touch too quick and jumped the green flag which forced a third restart. I got a great jump and was ready to give them a great run. I went off the little dirt jump and either a shock or tire blew out. It stuffed me into the wall and ended our day. Just a bummer.”

The series returns to action in two weeks when the GRC heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Round Five.

Race Results
Global RallyCross Series
Summer X Games – Los Angeles
Sunday, July 1, 2012
1. Sebastien Loeb
2. Ken Block
3. Brian Deegan
4. Rhys Millen
5. Liam Doran
6. Tanner Foust
7. David Higgins
8. David Binks
9. Samuel Hubinette
10. Sverre Isachsen
DNQ: Travis Pastrana, Bryce Menzies