In a thrilling spectacle at the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, Jamaican driver Fraser McConnell showcased his prowess despite encountering challenges during the qualifying rounds. X44 Vida Carbon Racing, with McConnell behind the wheel, emerged as the top qualifiers in Round 9 of Season 3, setting the stage for an electrifying competition.
The qualifying sessions were rife with incidents and red flags, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already competitive event. Despite facing hurdles, X44 Vida Carbon Racing secured the coveted top spot in the qualification standings, thanks to McConnell's stellar performance in Qualifying 1 Heat 2 and Qualifying 2 Heat 2.
Cristina Gutiérrez and Fraser McConnell accumulated 18 points, positioning themselves strategically for the Grand Final. The achievement holds particular significance as it gives the team, currently in fifth on the championship leaderboard, an opportunity to climb higher and contend for the title.
The competition saw the unfortunate exit of the No. 99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing due to a Did Not Finish (DNF) in Qualifying 1 and a subsequent 30-second penalty in Qualifying 2. This setback relegated them to the Redemption Race and out of contention for the championship.
Despite the challenges, McConnell and Gutiérrez demonstrated resilience and skill, earning them a well-deserved top qualifying position. Their impressive performance sets the stage for an exciting Grand Final, where they will compete against other top qualifiers.
As the teams prepare for the final showdown, X44 Vida Carbon Racing remains a strong contender, aiming to capitalize on McConnell's driving prowess and secure a notable victory in the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix. The championship battle promises to be fierce, and fans can expect thrilling moments as the season reaches its climax.
McConnell confident heading into rounds three and four of Nitrocross Championship in Utah
Jamaican racing sensation Fraser McConnell is gearing up for an intense weekend of action as he heads into Rounds three and four of the Nitrocross championship on October 5 & 6 in Utah.
Following a stellar performance at the season’s opening rounds in Richmond, Virginia, McConnell holds second place in the overall standings, just 11 points behind leader Kevin Eriksson.
McConnell’s dominant showing at Richmond Raceway on September 7 & 8 saw him secure a third-place finish in Round 1, followed by a thrilling battle for first in Round 2.
After clinching the top qualifier spot and winning his semi-final, McConnell started the Round 2 final in pole position. Despite taking an early lead, a dramatic half-spin pushed him off his racing line, allowing Eriksson to take the win. McConnell finished second ahead of Viktor Vranckx.
Looking ahead to the Utah rounds, McConnell remains optimistic about his chances.
“I’m really looking forward to this weekend, going back to Utah, the birthplace of Nitrocross,” he shared.
“It all started there with the Nitro World Games in 2018 and 2019, so it's a very special place for everyone involved.”
McConnell also highlighted the challenge of the upcoming track. “Salt Lake is one of the craziest tracks on the calendar, with the biggest gap jump and a lot of demanding corners. It requires high speed from us drivers. I'll just go out there and hit my marks as usual, trying to extract as much as I can from the car while proudly repping Jamaica.”
With back-to-back podium finishes in Rounds 1 and 2, McConnell is confident about continuing his strong run.
“We’re second in the championship with 107 points, and I’m looking forward to continuing that streak this weekend,” he said.
McConnell currently leads defending champion Robin Larsson by four points and is poised to close the gap further in his pursuit of overtaking Eriksson.
McConnell's season is sponsored by JustBet, Proven, Tru Shake, Rainforest, and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Fraser McConnell secures second in thrilling Nitrocross final at Richmond Raceway
Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell delivered a stellar performance, finishing second in the final of the second round of the Nitrocross season at Richmond Raceway on Sunday. Despite a half-spin on the opening lap that cost him the lead, McConnell fought hard throughout the six-lap race, coming within just 0.759 seconds of the eventual winner, Sweden’s Oliver Eriksson.
Eriksson, driving for Olsbergs MSE, capitalized on McConnell’s early mishap to snatch the lead, which he held for the remainder of the race. However, McConnell, piloting his DRR Dodge vehicle for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing + Team Frazzz, kept the pressure on the Swedish driver, reducing the gap to just 0.302 seconds by lap four. Both drivers took their joker laps on the final lap, but Eriksson maintained his lead to claim victory.
McConnell’s tenacity and consistent lap times ensured he and Eriksson distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Belgian driver Viktor Vranckx finished third, securing his first podium finish in Nitrocross and becoming the youngest podium finisher in the premier Group E class at just 19 years old.
In a race filled with drama, reigning champion Robin Larsson managed to advance from sixth on the grid to finish fourth, while Tanner Foust completed the top five. Lia Block, who was running in fifth, finished sixth after being overtaken by Foust on the final lap.
McConnell’s second-place finish solidifies his position in the championship standings, where he now sits 11 points behind new leader Eriksson. Larsson, Saturday’s winner in Richmond, is third, trailing McConnell by four points. Vranckx’s podium finish places him fourth in the overall standings, 16 points ahead of Andreas Bakkerud, who retired from Sunday’s race after sustaining terminal damage in a collision.
As the Nitrocross season heats up, McConnell remains a strong contender for the title, and his resilience in Richmond demonstrates that he’s far from done in his pursuit of the championship.
Fraser McConnell's team secures Dodge sponsorship for Nitrocross season
Jamaica’s motorsport sensation, Fraser McConnell, is set to begin his third season in Nitrocross this Saturday and Sunday with exciting news—his team, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, has officially secured a sponsorship deal with Dodge.
The partnership means McConnell will race in the 1,000-plus-horsepower
Fraser McConnell, who has rapidly ascended the ranks in Nitrocross, is eager to begin this season with the backing of Dodge, a brand synonymous with power and performance.
"It’s an honour to have a powerhouse brand like Dodge come on board to support us this season. Their commitment to motorsport aligns perfectly with our team's vision for success, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together," said McConnell.
Last season, McConnell made waves in the Nitrocross circuit, capturing multiple wins and securing a second-place finish, just behind champion Robin Larsson. With victories in Phoenix and Las Vegas and a runner-up spot in Round Six, McConnell is determined to build on his previous success.
As he prepares for the Richmond race this weekend, McConnell is confident and ready to make an impact.
"This new partnership with Dodge is a huge boost for the team, and I can't wait to hit the track. Richmond is a brand new venue, which makes it an exciting challenge for everyone. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got, and with the support of Dodge, we’re ready to take on the world."
Fans can look forward to a thrilling Nitrocross season, with 10 rounds spanning five venues, including stops in Richmond, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas, running from September 7 through March 2. Fraser McConnell and his team, now powered by Dodge, are poised to deliver an unforgettable season filled with high-speed, adrenaline-fueled action.
Action is live on Rumble at 3:00pm Jamaica time.
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