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Rockstar Energy Drink
driver Tanner Foust presents a check to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund on
behalf of NAPA Chassis at MCAS New River.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (July 7, 2015)
-- Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust was sidelined early after a hard
hit from a rival driver during the Global Rallycross Championship race at
Marine Corps Air Station New River this Independence Day weekend.
So, the two-time series champion
and host of Top Gear on History spent much of Sunday's competition as a guest
commentator on the live NBC telecast, joining play-by-play announcer Toby
Moody and analyst Townsend Bell in the broadcast booth.
"I'd rather have been out
there racing, but I enjoyed being part of the broadcast team on Sunday,"
said Foust. "It's definitely a different perspective when you're up there
watching the race and one of the things that was great to see was the
enthusiasm of the fans."
Sunday's race saw an estimated
10,000 spectators, who overflowed grandstands to take in the action on the
temporary track, built into the runway at MCAS New River. Specialized aircraft,
including a V-22 Osprey and a CH-53 Super Stallion, were on display alongside
the rallycross cars in the paddock. It was the first time that a championship
points-paying motorsport competition took place on an active military
installation and the event was the highlight of a big Fourth of July
celebration for many military families in the area.
"I'm disappointed that we
couldn't bring home a win at MCAS New River, but it was an incredible race day
anyway," said Foust. "It was an amazing feeling, being able to put on
an exciting show for these men and women serving our country. These fans have
been the absolute best and I hope we can come back here again soon."
Unable to start the first round of
heat racing due to a mechanical issue, Foust lined up as one of the favorites
for second-round heat competition. But a collision with Ken Block after the
first corner caused the left-rear suspension to break away from the car and
forced Foust to a stop.
He planned to return to competition
for the Last Chance Qualifier and fight his way back into the final. Once the
car was back in the paddock, however, the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team
discovered that the impact had been so hard that it not only tore part of the
suspension off the car but also damaged the engine. Foust's race day was
over.
Before the competition began, Foust
joined the local military community for July Fourth celebrations at Camp
Lejeune that included a live concert and driver autograph signing. He also
presented a donation from sponsor NAPA Chassis to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes
Fund, a leading national charity that supports the men and women of the United
States Armed Forces and their families. The organization has provided over $150
million in support of the families of military personnel lost in service, and
for severely wounded military personnel and veterans.
Next, Foust will race the Global
Rallycross Detroit doubleheader, July 25-26. With 100 points on offer in the
two races, the driver will be looking to return to the top of the points
standings. A win during the Daytona doubleheader last month vaulted him to
third in the championship.
Rallycross is a blend of circuit
racing, off-road racing and rally competition. It promises intense
crowd-pleasing action in a fan-friendly track environment. As many as 10
drivers line up to start at once, piloting high-horsepower compact cars through
race traffic over a challenging short course that features jumps, unbanked
turns, hills and transitions between pavement and gravel. It is sometimes
described as an action motorsport and is emerging as the top youth-market
motorsport in the world.
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