Since its formation in 2014, the FIA World Rallycross Championship has never ventured to the United States. That’ll change this weekend as the series is stopping in Austin, Texas, for the World RX of USA.

This weekend will be just the second time drivers have raced on the circuit in Austin. With a uniquelayout,thecourseistheshortestcircuitoftheseasonbutfeaturesamixoftechnical corners.

With over a 70-point lead in the standings, Johan Kristofferson has a prime opportunity to claim his second consecutive World RX title.

To clinch the title, Kristofferson, who has won eight races this season, needs to leave this weekend with at least a 60-point lead in the standings. However, if the Swede takes top qualifier in the Intermediate Classification and starts in the semifinals, Kristofferson will automatically secure the title.

“I say all the time that I’m not thinking too much (about) the championship and really just focusing on the races that are right in front of me. Do you think anybody is believing that?” Kristofferson said. “Honestly, I try not to think too much about what could happen, what might happen if this happens or that happens.

“But then when you are in the gym or sitting on an (airplane) for a long time, then your mind wanders a little bit and, of course, you think a bit to this thing.”

Kristofferson has dominated this season – winning all but one race on the schedule – and leads fellow countryman Mattias Ekström in the standings by 73 points.

“I have some gap to the guy in second, so I can maybe afford to take some more risks with the races,” Kristofferson said. “But I want to drive clean, stay out of trouble and do what we have to do.RacinginAmericaisgoingtobereallyexciting.Ican’twaittogetoutthere,lookatthetrack and find out what this thing is going to belike.”

While Kristofferson controls the standings, there is a tight battle for second place, with five drivers being within 18 points of Ekström.

Andreas Bakkerud enters the weekend third in the standings, two points behind Ekström, while Sebastien Loeb, who won in Belgium earlier this season, is five points from second.

- By Colton Wood