POMEROY, WA — Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block is the driver to beat at Round 3 of the Rally America championship, setting top times on every stage early in the contest to blaze away from the rest of the field.

Block was securely in first place heading into Day 2, 26 seconds ahead of teammate Travis Pastrana. The championship leader favors the high-speed conditions that make up the event. Drivers reported top speeds over 120 mph on the long straightaways. "You really have to love going that fast," said Block.

Pastrana entered this contest sixth-place overall in the standings after tough luck at the first round cost him valuable early-season points. Heading into Day 2, he and co-driver Derek Ringer were pleased with their consistent top times. "It’s really fast and you can’t get down behind in the beginning because it isn’t going to be made up later," said Pastrana. "There aren’t a lot of corners where you can gain time."

In third place after Day 1 were Tanner Foust and Chrissie Beavis in their Subaru. Despite a mechanical problem that cost the Rockstar team 30 seconds early in the day, the duo was firmly podium contention - nearly a minute ahead of closest challenger.

At the end of the day, Andrew 'ACP' Comrie-Picard and Marc Goldfarb were in fourth place in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Comrie-Picard said early in the day he planned to drive a conservative rally to finish in the top-five and X Games contention.

Likewise, Matt Johnson, was satisfied to finish Day 1 in fifth place in his new Hankook-Rallispec Subaru WRX STi. The 2007 Production GT champion said early in the contest that his objective was maximum points with minimal drama. "If we’re in the top-six overall we’ll keep adding to our pile of points and make sure we’re going to the X Games," said Johnson, who has shown promise so far this season as he takes on the more aggressive pace of the Open class. He is also vying for his first X Games Rally start.

In addition to the championship title, drivers are battling for a chance to compete at the high-profile X Games this summer in Los Angeles. Top teams after the first five rounds of the championship are expected to receive an invitation to the contest, with a wild-card entry selected sometime in July.

The storied Olympus Rally, which was once featured on the World Rally calendar, moved from its traditional location near Olympia, Wash., 300 miles east to Pomeroy for 2008. It is expected to return to its traditional location in 2009.