POMEROY, WA — Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block is setting blistering times at the Olympus Rally this weekend in Eastern Washington, while his teammate Travis Pastrana nips at his heels. Block, the current championship leader, was the driver to beat coming into Round 3. He favors the high-speed conditions found at this event. Drivers were reporting top speeds in excess of 130 mph on the long straightaways. "I’m going quick and having some fun," said Block on Sunday. "The goal is to be fast and safe."

Pastrana entered this event sixth-place overall in the standings after tough luck at the first round cost him valuable early-season points. He and co-driver Derek Ringer have put in a clean and consistent performance throughout the two-day contest and a second-place finish here will put him back into the running.

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 on Day 1, the duo was firmly podium contention by Sunday morning - nearly a minute ahead of their closest challenger.

Andrew 'ACP' Comrie-Picard and Marc Goldfarb were holding onto fourth place on Sunday in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Comrie-Picard said early in the contest he planned to drive a conservative rally to finish in the top-five and X Games contention. "We’re looking to be smart and hold position in the championship," said Comrie-Picard.

Likewise, Matt Johnson continued to chase the leaders 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. He and co-driver Jeremy Wimpey are proving able with the new car against the aggressive, Open class competition. "I’m very excited about this car," said Johnson. "It’s a big shakedown for us this weekend and we couldn’t hope for any better."

In addition to the championship title, drivers are vying 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 once featured on the World Rally calendar, moved from its traditional location near Olympia, Wash., 300 miles east to Pomeroy, Wash., for 2008. It is expected to return to its traditional location in 2009.