SCOTT SPEED CAPTURES 2015 RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR VOLKSWAGEN ANDRETTI RALLYCROSS TEAM

11.5.15

In the glow of the iconic Las Vegas strip, Scott Speed and the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross (VARX) team celebrated the 2015 Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) championship after a frenetic season finale that saw Mother Nature wreak havoc on the season-ending track. The third place finish for the driver of the No. 41 ORAFOL Volkswagen Beetle GRC secured the championship win, earning the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Team its first championship victory; in only its second season of competition. Tanner Foust earned a third place finish in the championship standings, adding to the incredible performance of the VARX team for the 2015 season.

“I’m at a loss for words when it comes to describing how it feels to win the championship this season,” said Speed, soon after crossing the finish line in Vegas. “The whole Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team has worked so hard for this result; I’m incredibly proud of this team and am so happy to have been able to bring home the top spot for them.”

Tanner Foust added to his extensive resume of Global Rallycross achievements by claiming third place in the 2015 championship standings, with a ninth-place finish in Las Vegas. After contact with the wall on lap one of the Final, Foust managed to pilot his No. 34 Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle to the checkered flag in ninth place, securing command of the 2015 championship podium.

“It was a difficult event here in Las Vegas, but I’m so proud of the entire VARX team for the efforts they’ve put in this year. They’ve made our season so, extremely successful,” states Foust.“Third in the championship obviously isn’t what we were hoping for, but I can’t wait to start next year, continuing the success we’ve found in 2015.  Congratulations to Scott—I’m glad he could join the GRC champions club, but we’ll be gunning for him next year!”

With five victories in the 2015 season, Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross surpassed all other teams, in only its second year of competition. The first full year of running for the Volkswagen Beetle GRC proved the platform’s competence, reliability, and speed; earning the iconic model its place in the Global Rallycross record books.

“This was a challenging season, but a hard-earned one that the VARX team is extremely proud of,” said Clark Campbell, General Manager Experiential Marketing Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Beetle GRC cars, with Scott and Tanner behind their wheels, have proven themselves a champion, and a fan-favorite.  I would also like to thank the organization behind the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship. It is not an easy task to stage these events, but the increased viewership and media attention demonstrate that GRC is a series to be taken seriously, and one we are proud to be a part of.”

Available now, the VARX Supercars app is free to download for iOS and Android users, providing race fans with the perfect mobile companion to every race weekend. Users can stay up to date on schedules, session results, and live timing and scoring all in the palm of his or her hand. Search “VARX Supercars” in the App Store or on Google Play to download.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc. 
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state -of-the- art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

About Andretti Autosport                                                                                                                                                        
Based in Indianapolis and led by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success. Together with Andretti Formula E and Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross, Andretti Autosport fields multiple entries in the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and the Pro Mazda Championship, along with entries in the FIA Formula E Championship and Global Rallycross. The company boasts four IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2012), two Indy Lights titles (2008, 2009), one Pro Mazda championship (2013) and one USF2000 championship (2010) and has captured victory at the famed Indianapolis 500 three times (2005, 2007, 2014). To share in the Andretti story, please visit online at AndrettiAutosport.com or AndrettiTV.com and follow along on Twitter via @FollowAndretti.