Although it’s best-known as an open-wheel operation, Andretti Autosport has quite the pedigree in off-road racing.
Recently the Indianapolis-based squad announced it would be joining the all-new Extreme E series for 2021, marking its second foray into loose surface competition.
Before that it turned Volkswagen into a dominant force at the top level of rallycross in the United States, winning 32 races and taking five consecutive drivers’ titles over six seasons.
We look back at the key moments in Andretti’s rallycross history, starting with the announcement of the program way back in 2014 and going up to its final title-winning campaign in 2019.
Andretti Autosport announces a move into the burgeoning Global Rallycross series at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show as a works partner of Volkswagen. The team signs the US's top rallycross star Tanner Foust as well as ex-F1 and NASCAR man Scott Speed, who'd just enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign.
Credit: Joe Valentino/Volkswagen
With the team's new Beetles under construction, it starts the 2014 season with a pair of ex-Marklund Motorsport Polos badged as 'Volkswagen GTIs'. Speed wins on the team's debut in Barbados, ahead of Steve Arpin and Brian Deegan.
Credit: Alison Padron/Red Bull Content Pool
After the team fails to make the podium in Washington DC, Foust claims his first win in nearly two years in New York to give Andretti three victories from the first four rounds.
Credit: Alison Padron/Red Bull Content Pool
The Beetle is finally introduced in Los Angeles with Foust at the wheel. Speed continues his strong Polo form with a victory in the car that Foust had campaigned up to that point. Speed then receives a Beetle of his own for the Las Vegas season finale.
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Content Pool
For 2015, Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross ditches its WRC-derived 1.6-litre engine for a 2.0L. Speed gives the car its first podium in the Fort Lauderdale season opener.
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Content Pool
After Speed claims gold at Austin in the X Games, Foust gives the Beetle its first points-paying win at Daytona.
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Content Pool
A poor run of form ends with a dominant run in Los Angeles (pictured) and Barbados where the team sweeps both double headers to move into first and second place in the standings.
Credit: Larry Chen/Red Bull Content Pool
Third place in the Las Vegas season finale is enough for Speed to give Andretti its first rallycross title.
Credit: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Content Pool
Foust begins 2016 as the dominant force, winning both parts of the season opening Phoenix double header…
Credit: Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
...but a strong second half of the season earns Speed another title.
Credit: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Content Pool
As with the season before, Andretti wins all but three rounds in 2017, the final campaign of the GRC era. Seven of its wins come in a row. Foust takes the last race of the series in LA, but Speed's stellar podium record – finishing in the top three in every race he started – grants him a third straight crown.
Credit: Lois Yoi/Red Bull Content Pool
With GRC falling by the wayside, Andretti moves to the new Americas Rallycross series for 2018. Foust wins the first ever race at Silverstone.
Credit: Dominik Wilde
Title number four for Speed, who wins at Austin and Trois-Rivières (pictured). Foust adds to his Silverstone victory on ARX’s return to Circuit of the Americas, completing an incredible unbeaten run in rallycross of 11 points-paying events for the team.
Credit: ARX Rallycross
VW decreases its support for Andretti in 2019, forcing works driver Foust and Andretti to scramble together a package for the season. Speed jumps ship to Subaru, and is replaced by young hotshot Cabot Bigham.
Credit: ARX Rallycross
Subaru is the dominant force in 2019, but although the Beetle has less development than in previous years, it remains competitive. Foust wins twice to take his first rallycross championship title since 2012. His win at COTA is at the same place where the Beetle claimed its very first victory four years earlier.
Credit: ARX Rallycross
