Kristoffersson has 17 reasons to remain focused in America.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

Seventeen is the magical number heading into the World RX of USA, because seventeen points would be enough for defending FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson to claim a successful title defense in America. 

The Swede is a master at claiming the top qualifying spot, so one more of those and a semi-final start would hand Johan the title. 

If the title defense was enough, Kristoffersson claimed the 2018 TCR Scandinavia Touring Car Championship title, last weekend with victory in race one and fifth place in race two at the series’ final round at Mantorp Park. 

Despite the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden drivers record breaking run of success, he is trying to remain focused on the job at hand.

"You know I say all the time that I’m not thinking too much to the championship and really just focusing on the races that are right in front of me," says Kristoffersson. 

"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 aeroplane for a long time, then your mind wanders a little bit and, of course, you think a bit to this thing."

Kristoffersson heads into the weekend with a 73 point advantage, but admits that he will not change his approach, despite being on the cusp of claiming his second title. “What won’t change is my approach. OK, I have some gap (73 points) to the guy in second, so I can maybe afford to take some more risks with the races," the Swede said. "But I want to drive clean, stay out of trouble and do what we have to do."