An evo car flies through the air off a ramp at Nitrocross rallycar racing series in Richmond, Virginia

It’s official: the new Nitrocross season has kicked off — and to say it began with a bang would be an understatement. The first weekend of September 2024 was a vibrant one in Richmond, VA. Fans packed the stands, eyes glued to the nail-biting exploits of some of the world’s top drivers. Revving engines, cheering crowds, the fierce thrill of competition — the first weekend of Nitrocross had all of this and more.

Best of all, Team Ignition got to be there for every moment of the action, not just as a proud partner but as a key player in the fun.

So, what were some of the top moments of the weekend? Who were our winners? What awaits us in the rest of the Nitrocross season?

We cover all of this and more in the recap below. So, buckle up and get ready to explore all the twists and turns of this incredible event.

Setting the Scene: The Track

Richmond Raceway is one of NASCAR’s most famous venues, having hosted its events since 1953. Its history, paired with its challenging layout, made it the perfect backdrop for Nitrocross’ opening weekend.

Spanning over 1.24 miles, the oval is known for high-speed, short-track action. With eight tight corners, steep banks, and a mix of surfaces (including both dirt and pavement), it’s not for the faint of heart.

Another thing that adds to the course’s dramatic flair? The Joker lap. This is an alternate route that all drivers have to take once per race. Although every Nitrocross race includes a Joker lap, the one at Richmond is especially tricky, taking drivers on an even tighter line through Turn 8.

After powering through the final two banked turns, drivers finish by conquering Nitrocross’ signature dirt gap jump on the finish straight.

An overhead view of the Richmond Raceway with track highlights, including the crossover gap jump, dirt berms, and the joker lap, labeled for Nitro Cross racing.

Race Results: The Winners of Nitrocross’ Opening Weekend

Group E

Widely considered one of the top drivers to watch, Robin Larsson didn’t come to play in Richmond. He made an early case for his very own three-peat by leading the opening Group E race from start to finish. The victory was on top of his victories in the qualifier and heat earlier on in the day.

“It’s been a really good day,” said Larsson. “I was a little bit worried going into this one. It’s a lot of tarmac, and I’m not a big fan of tarmac for my driving skills, but when you get the confidence that you’re faster and you can drive on a completely different level, you get a whole ‘nother calm in your body.”

Larsson finished one second ahead of his long-time competitor and fellow Swede, Oliver Eriksson. Though he was disappointed with the outcome, he conceded that his opponent was a tough one to beat.

“It was too bad. We fought too much in turns two, three, and four here,” shared Eriksson. “Robin got some air, and…when Robin gets some air, it’s hard to do something.”

That said, Eriksson’s luck wasn’t down for the whole weekend. On the second day of the competition, he came back with a fire in his belly and took the top spot. Taking advantage of a first-lap mistake from Fraser McConnell, Eriksson managed to secure the win, leaving McConnell to take second place. Viktor Vranckx claimed the #3 spot, while Larsson came in fourth.

While both drivers won a race, Larsson came out on top in the final Group E rankings.

A blue and white race car driven by Dejong skids on a dirt track at a Nitro Crosse event. Monster Energy signage appears in the background.

Next Evo

American powerhouse Mitchell De Jong was the standout in the first-ever NEXT EVO final. Despite taking a seven-year break from racing, it was clear that De Jong hadn’t lost his touch. He had no trouble fending off 2022-23 NEXT champion Tommi Hallman, along with some other heavy hitters like Lane Vacala and Casper Jansson.

“Super happy with the day today, a lot of unknowns coming into this weekend, but everything just seemed to fall into place,” said De Jong. “I’m getting more and more comfortable with the car and all the races leading up to the semifinal and final went pretty much perfect and on point.”

Side-by-Side (SXS)

In an absolute nail-biter, Travis Pastrana looked ready to take the #1 spot in the SXS category.

But Cash Lecroy? He had other plans, passing Pastrana in the final lap.

The overtake created an opportunity for Kory Willis to squeeze by Pastrana as well; he edged past him only two turns later. Pastrana then had to contend with a late charge from the reigning SXS champ, Kainan Baker. But Pastrana wasn’t going down without a fight — he managed to hold his own and secure a podium finish by coming in third.

When asked about his win, Lecroy had nothing to express but joy and admiration: “It’s a dream to race at a level this high, but to be able to mix it up with guys like Travis Pastrana is something you can’t put words to.”

Baja Bugs

Donny Donovan was crowned the winner of the Baja Bugs class, beating out opponents like Kyle Zirkus, Blake Wilkey, and Nick Isenhouer.

Team Ignition: A Proud Partner of Nitrocross

The best part of the weekend for Team Ignition, as an official Nitrocross sponsor, is that we got to be there in Richmond to soak up every moment of the action.

As the 2024-25 Nitrocross season kicked off, so did the partnership. Team Ignition wasn’t just there to deliver some on-site branding but also some incredible live events and rallycross-inspired activities.

One of the most exciting activations was the AI photo booth, where fans had the chance to create their very own racing cards. Not only that, but participants could also enter the “Spin to Win” giveaway. The prize in question? A trip to Las Vegas.

TEAM IGNITION HITS THE GROUND AT NITROCROSS RICHMOND
Spin to Win! Team Ignition Hands Out Big Prizes at Nitrocross!
Fans Get Their Own Driver Cards in Team Ignition’s AI Photobooth

Team Ignition’s presence at the Nitrocross opener comes alongside the launch of its new action-adventure podcast series, The Team Ignition Show.

Hosted by professional skateboarder and Nitrocross driver Leticia Bufoni, the show features in-depth interviews with guests in the extreme sports space. From professional base jumper Jeb Corliss to shark diver and conservationist Ocean Ramsey, these guests are pushing the limits and redefining what’s possible — just like Nitrocross drivers.

Excitement Awaits: Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Season

It’s safe to say that Richmond’s Nitrocross opener was a success — and we’re just getting started.

Next on the roster are Rounds 3 & 4, which are running from 5-6 October 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. From riveting races to exceptional VIP experiences, we can’t wait to see everything these rounds have in store.

Keen to learn more about what to expect? Check out Nitrocross’ full schedule, and catch the races and highlights on Rumble Sports, starting with Round 1: