Nitrocross announces driver roster and track reveal for season opening race at Richmond Raceway

Nitrocross is back! The 2024-25 season kicks off this weekend at Richmond Raceway for the first of five double-header events this season. Four classes will be in action over the weekend, in what promises to be one of the most entertaining motorsport spectacles around.

'America's Premier Short Track' opened in 1946 when it hosted the finale of the AAA Championship Car season, the first post-war open-wheel campaign in the US. It began hosting NASCAR two years later with Lee Petty winning the first Cup Series race there. 

In 1968 the track was paved for the first time, and two decades later, the venue's current configuration was realized – including an extension of the oval from 0.5 to 0.75 miles. With a mixture of both dirt and asphalt, Nitrocross will not only be the first to race on dirt at Richmond since the 1960s, it will be the first multi-surface discipline to ever race at the track.

Tickets are available for purchase via nitrocrossracing.com or box office at Richmond Raceway.

Tune in for the official press conference at 1PM EST on Friday, September 6th featuring a panel of key Nitrocross personalities. 

You can watch it on Nitrocross’ Facebook, Twitter, Youtube channels and on Nitrocross’ official broadcast partner Rumble here.

The all-electric Group E category is the headline class, featuring the FC1-X, which is now entering its third season of competition. With around 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 1.5 seconds, the FC1-X is one of the most capable cars around, delivering intensely close racing.

Robin Larsson enters the season as the two-time defending champion, but his teammates Andreas Bakkerud and Fraser McConnell – runners-up over the last two seasons – will be hoping to end his run. Meanwhile Olsbergs MSE’s Kevin Eriksson will be looking to rebound after coming up short last year, while the returning Tanner Foust will be one to watch as he no doubt adds to his legendary legacy.

Nitrocross 2024-25 Richmond Round 1-2: Group E Entry List 

Top development class Nitrocross NEXT has been revitalized for this season, becoming NEXT EVO. The rechristened class’ all-new sustainably-fuelled FC2 will be debuting in Richmond, with nine cars set to compete. The previous two NEXT champions, Tommi Hallman and Casper Jansson will resume their battle for supremacy alongside a raft of homegrown talent.

Nitrocross 2024-25 Richmond Round 1-2: NEXT EVO Entry List

The ever-popular Side-by-Sides are back with a bumper 12-car grid. The grid is a mix of new and returning names featuring some of the best that the off-road world has to offer, along with the most promising young and upcoming talent. 

Last season's champion Kainan Baker will be looking to pick up where he left off last year, where he won five out of eight races. Travis Pastrana, a two-time winner during a partial season last year, might have other ideas, though.

Nitrocross 2024-25 Richmond Round 1-2: Side-By-Sides Entry List

And finally, fan favorites, the Baja Bugs, are back. They might lack the speed and prestige of the other categories, but they more than make up for that in entertainment value, with some of the closest contests you’re likely to see. 

Nitrocross 2024-25 Richmond Round 1-2: Baja Bugs Entry List

Championship Stakes:

The Nitrocross 2024-25 racing season includes 10 rounds of racing at different venues across North America, with unique tracks featuring a variety of terrains at each location. Richmond is the first stop on the new season’s schedule, so everyone will be looking to get off to the best possible start as they look to chase the Ken Block Championship Trophy over the coming months.