Ken Block triumphs again in first race at Belle Isle

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross driver Scott Speed and Red Bull Olsbergs MSE’s Sebastian Eriksson completed the podium, while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Brian Deegan and fellow Red Bull OMSE driver Joni Wiman completed the top five.

“It was quite an eventful time,” Block said after the race. “I was happy with second place and taking home some good points, but I ended up with the win. I’m the all-time winningest GRC driver now with six wins, so that’s pretty cool. I’m really stoked—that’s just a testament to how hard my team and I work.”

Block and Sandell each won both of their heat races to set up a face-off in the final, with the Swedish driver muscling past to take an early, and sizable, lead.

But with three laps to go, Sandell encountered a mechanical issue, allowing the field to drive past him.

“I was so focused on getting a good start that I just braked a bit late to make sure that I had the momentum to get through the first corner, and it took me a little wide,” Block explained. “Patrik got around me on the inside. He was pulling away from me a little bit, but then I saw some smoke and some fire from his car.

“I don’t know what happened, but I just had to find the right spot to get by him and make sure people didn’t catch up to me.”