Charlotte, N.C. – Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen took home the inaugural SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup, which came with a $20,000 prize, at Sunday’s SYLVANIA-sponsored Global Rallycross (GRC) competition at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting provided extra incentive for drivers competing in domestic GRC events in 2013 with the inception of the $20,000 battle for the SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup. New to the GRC series in 2013, the SYLVANIA zXe Cup was awarded to Heikkinen since he was the driver that earned the most championship points in four of the series’ U.S.-based events this season. The fight for the SYLVANIA zXe Cup commenced with the July 11 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, included races in Bristol and Atlanta, and wrapped up yesterday at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s famous dirt track.

Heikkinen has been the rising star all season. After a dramatic crash last year, he fought his way back to the top in 2013. He entered yesterday’s final SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup race with a 20 point lead and five consecutive victories in the overall GRC series. But his success didn’t stop drivers like Scott Speed, Brian Deegan and Travis Pastrana from battling it out at the premier dirt racing facility, which featured multiple obstacles and a wide track with lots of room for passing. Speed and Deegan rounded out the podium with Heikkinen, taking first and second place respectively.

“As part of SYLVANIA’s motorsports involvement, I have experienced more than a decade of NASCAR races and am in my second year of supporting Global Rallycross. By far, this was one of the most thrilling, hardest fought races I have ever witnessed,” said Joe Verbanic, director of Sales and Marketing, SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting. “The famous Dirt Track was the perfect venue for a no-holds-bar showdown of skill, courage and luck for these amazing drivers, with no man or machine going unscathed. In the end, Topi came out on top in point standings and we are proud to present him with the SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup and $20,000 check for his elite driving skills throughout the series.”

SYLVANIA has sponsored motorsport races for more than a decade, including 11 years of NASCAR races and two years of GRC. Sunday marked the fourth and final race in the chase for the SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup. To see photos from each event and view the final point standings battle, visit www.facebook.com/SylvaniaAutomotive or Racer’s special SYLVANIA-sponsored Global Rallycross news section. For more information on SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting products, visit www.sylvania.com/auto.

SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe Cup Final Points:
1. Toomas Heikkinen 78
2. Brian Deegan     60
3. Ken Block        53
4. Tanner Foust     50
5. Sverre Isachsen  49