Defending champion Travis Pastrana got stuck into the rally final at the X Games, or rather, Travis Pastrana got stuck IN the final of the rally at the X Games.
Having passed all four medallists from last year in qualifying – his Subaru team-mates Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Dave Mirra – Travis faced a rejuvenated Kenny Brack, 43, in the final.
Competing in his first X Games, the 1999 Indy 500 winner hardly put a foot wrong as he set the fastest time in qualifying in his Ford Fiesta. In the final, there was nothing to choose between them, Pastrana taking an early lead after Brack dislodged a bumper, landing heavily off a ramp at the start. Brack struck back, taking back the lead briefly before Pastrana edged back ahead.
Then, disaster struck for the nine-time gold medallist as he clipped the chicane and became wedged in the middle of the track. Travis had no choice but to concede defeat and walked disconsolately back to the middle of the arena, congratulated Brack and picked up his silver medal.
“We were side by side, at least it felt like it,” said Pastrana, “and it felt like I was driving good, and then I hit a wall!”
Meanwhile, Brack celebrated wildly as he became the first invited driver to win gold – and on his X Games debut.
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