Wiman best in GRC Lites race at X Games L.A.

Joni Wiman remains the only winner in GRC Lites history, taking the gold medal at X Games Los Angeles in his X Games debut. Mitchell deJong and Sebastian Eriksson took silver and bronze.

HEAT RECAPS: The first heat race was cut short due to an incident involving Austin Dyne, with Wiman, Kevin Eriksson, and Halid Avdagic in transfer spots. Sebastian Eriksson, deJong, and GRC Lites debutant Reinis Nitiss advanced from the second heat. Alexander Westlund and Harry Cheung advanced from the last chance qualifier.

MAIN EVENT RECAP: As has been common this season, Wiman dominated the 10-lap final, checking out from an intense three-car battle between Sebastian Eriksson, deJong, and Westlund. Sebastian Eriksson was judged to have jumped the start, forcing him to take a stop-and-go penalty, an order which he ignored for much of the event.

When Sebastian Eriksson returned to the track, deJong and Westlund had passed him and were set to take the silver and bronze medals. However, Westlund hit a barrier on the last lap, damaging the car heavily and dropping him to sixth place.

– It took very exact driving. It was very difficult to drive the first three or four laps, but then it was normal. In the hairpins, I saw the guys, and I could see if they were catching me. I didn’t know if they had done the shortcut, so the pressure was on. Of course we’re starting to think about (the championship), but we can’t too much. We have a good lead, and it’s safe, but you never know, said Wiman after the race.

Mitchell deJong was also really pleased with his second place.
– It’s great. I’m just thankful to be able to race in (X Games). To be able to come out with a podium is so cool, and I can’t thank everyone enough for getting the car ready from Bristol. It was a tough track—it was a little wet, which made it extra challenging. I just did my best, tried to stay smooth and stay off the walls, and it seemed to work. It was a lot of fun, the car was great, and I can’t complain about it at all. It was cool, deJong exclaimed.

RESULTS: The results from GRC Lites at X Games Los Angeles:

1. Joni Wiman, #93 Set Promotion GRC Lites
2. Mitchell deJong, #24 OlsbergsMSE GRC Lites
3. Sebastian Eriksson, #37 OlsbergsMSE GRC Lites
4. Kevin Eriksson, #39 Set Promotion GRC Lites
5. Reinis Nitiss, #15 Set Promotion GRC Lites
6. Alexander Westlund, #55 Set Promotion GRC Lites
7. Halid Avdagic, #4 OlsbergsMSE GRC Lites
8. Harry Cheung, #88 Cohesive Front Racing GRC Lites
9. Geoff Sykes, #65 OlsbergsMSE GRC Lites10.Austin Dyne, #99 AD Racing GRC Lites

DRIVER POINTS:

1. Joni Wiman, 63
2. Sebastian Eriksson, 46
3. Kevin Eriksson, 41
4. Alexander Westlund, 39
5. Mitchell deJong, 37
6. Austin Dyne, 35
7. Geoffrey Sykes, 30
8. Halid Avdagic, 29
9. Harry Cheung, 27
10. Reinis Nitiss, 12

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