Is it possible to win races without using touch drive??

Hey people, new player here. I was wondering if anyone here is having/had the same experience I had. I have noticed that whenever I race, no matter how much I don’t crash and nitro and do most stunts I can’t seem to beat the AI.

I could be in a race that’s 60% plus and be 5th but as soon as I switch to touch drive

Boom

I’ll finish the race in 1st

What’s that about??