Pastrana Takes First-Ever Rally Car Racing Gold at X Games 12

McRae rolls it, rights it, misses gold by 0.52 seconds

Los Angeles -- Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom won the first-ever X Games Rally Car Racing gold medal, but Colin McRae may have stolen away the signature moment from the debut final at The Home Depot Center. 

McRae, who entered Saturday’s “Super Special” ahead of Pastrana by 0.5 second overall, appeared to be headed for the gold as he re-entered the stadium for the final push to the finish line. That’s when the car got loose on McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist and rolled over.  True to his reputation as a rally car racing legend, McCrae didn’t miss a beat, kept his foot on the pedal, and when the car landed back on its tires gunned to a silver medal finish – missing gold by just 0.52 seconds.

Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino drove away with the bronze medal. Even Pastrana, who also took home X Games gold on Friday night in the Moto X Best Trick, had praise for McRae following the competition.

“It’s an honor to be next to Colin McRae,” said Pastrana. “I’m very surprised to have won the first X Games rally car event. No words can describe it. It’s been the best week of my life. I’m so happy that rally racing has a presence in the X Games.”

McRae, disappointed the gold got away from him, was still excited about Rally Car Racing’s debut at X Games 12.

“It’s not the way I wanted to finish,” said McRae, “But it was the best show we could possibly put on here at X Games. I’m so happy to get the first X Games rally racing silver medal.”

Block added, “It’s exciting to take the first X Games bronze and to be racing in the presence of Travis Pastrana and Colin McRae.”