Tanner Foust tops Mid-Ohio ARX qualifying

Tanner Foust followed up on his strong opening day form to finish qualifying for the Americas Rallycross season opener at Mid-Ohio in the top spot.

The Andretti Rallycross driver won both his Q3 and Q4 heat and narrowly beat former team mate Scott Speed to take the first top qualifier position of the season.

After winning his heat and setting the fastest time in Q3, Speed went into the final round just one point adrift of Foust, but was beaten on track by the veteran. Foust faced all three Subaru drivers in Q4, and was boxed into turn one by the three blue WRX STIs, but braked early and passed all three cars on the corner exit.

Chris Atkinson, who ran Foust close in Q3 and finished Q4 behind Foust and Speed, ended qualifying in third spot after a solid buch of qualifying races.

Steve Arpin was fourth – he had a tough Q3 race after being forced off track in the opening dirt section, but rallied back with an impressive display in Q4 to dominate his heat and set the third fastest time overall.

Arpin’s rookie team mate Travis PeCoy was fifth, ahead of Subaru’s Patrik Sandell, while Cabot Bigham rounded out the field.

Bigham had an entertaining battle with PeCoy in their Q4 race, with the former ARX2 drivers trading places throughout the race.

The qualifying results mean that Foust and Speed will avoid each other in the semi-finals, with the odd-numbered finishers lining up in the first semi, and the even finishers competing in the second.

Foust will line-up with Atkinson, PeCoy and Bigham –with the final finisher in that race missing out on the final. Meanwhile Speed will race Arpin, and Sandell to determine their final starting spots.

ARX of Mid-Ohio I qualifying standings

		Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	QP
1.	Tanner Foust	42	50	45	50	187
2.	Scott Speed	50	36	50	45	181
3.	Chris Atkinson	40	45	42	40	167
4.	Steve Arpin	45	40	37	42	164
5.	Travis PeCoy	37	42	38	38	155
6.	Patrik Sandell	39	36	40	39	154
7.	Cabot Bigham	38	39	39	37	153