2026 FORMULA DRIFT PRO CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION RESULTS FROM ROUND 2 AT ROAD ATLANTA

Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Round 2 delivered one of the most emotional and unpredictable battles of the 2026 season as Vaughn Gittin Jr. returned to the top step of the podium at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta after defeating longtime rival James Deane in an intense Final battle.

The victory marked a major milestone for Gittin. Despite being semi-retired from full-time competition, the two-time Formula DRIFT champion continues to make annual appearances at Road Atlanta, and this year’s return turned into a statement performance. Driving the Monster Energy Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD, Gittin battled through one of the toughest brackets of the season before finally overcoming his RTR teammate in the Final.

For years, Deane had held the edge in their head-to-head meetings. But Atlanta became the turning point. An uncharacteristic mistake from the Irish driver opened the door for Gittin to secure his first victory against Deane in four competitive Final meetings. The result also tied the two legends statistically with 14 Formula DRIFT victories and 31 podium finishes each, further cementing their rivalry as one of the defining matchups in modern drifting.

Final Podium Results

1. Vaughn Gittin Jr. – Monster Energy Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD

2. James Deane – O'Reilly / Pennzoil Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD

3. Branden Sorensen – Sorensen Motorsports / Quad Lock BMW

A Night Full of Championship Drama

The Atlanta round reshuffled the championship standings in dramatic fashion.

After a disappointing early exit in Round 1 at Long Beach, Deane entered Atlanta hungry for redemption. His second-place finish earned him 43 valuable championship points, launching him from ninth to second overall in the standings and putting his title campaign firmly back on track.

Meanwhile, Adam LZ, Fredric Aasbo, and Matt Field all suffered major setbacks that shook up the points race.

Aasbo, who entered Atlanta sitting second overall, was eliminated in the Top 32 after contact with Rudy Hansen during initiation. The early exit dropped the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra driver from second to ninth in the standings.

Adam LZ’s weekend ended early after debeading a tire on his Drift HQ BMW during his battle against Trenton Beechum, while Matt Field endured one of the most frustrating moments of the event. After contact from behind during his Top 32 battle with Ken Gushi, Field’s team rushed to repair the car. Although repairs were completed within the allotted time, officials ruled the steering rack mount unsafe, ending his weekend prematurely.

Branden Sorensen Continues to Impress

One of the breakout stories of the season continues to be Branden Sorensen.

The 21-year-old qualified third at Road Atlanta and drove aggressively all weekend, narrowly missing a Finals appearance after a close battle against Deane in the Final 4. His podium finish moves him from sixth to fourth overall in the championship standings and confirms that the young BMW driver is becoming a serious contender in the 2026 title fight.

Historic Moment for the Shanahan Brothers

Another major storyline came from Ireland’s Shanahan brothers.

Round 1 winner Conor Shanahan struggled in qualifying, managing only 24th position in his Red Bull / GT Radial / JYR Toyota GT86. But the Irish driver clawed his way back through competition and faced his brother Jack Shanahan in the Top 16 — the first-ever sibling-versus-sibling battle in Formula DRIFT PRO history.

Conor advanced, but mechanical issues ended his weekend shortly after when a clutch failure forced him to withdraw from his Great 8 battle. Despite the setback, he still maintains the championship lead with a 15-point advantage heading into Round 3.

Veterans and Founders Still Battling

Road Atlanta also served as a reminder of Formula DRIFT’s deep history.

Gittin, one of the original competitors from the series’ 2004 launch, faced fellow founding driver and three-time champion Chris Forsberg during the Great 8. The battle ended dramatically after contact in Zone 4 forced Gittin’s Mustang to a stop, but the RTR driver ultimately advanced and continued his charge to victory.

For longtime drift fans, seeing two of the sport’s most influential drivers still battling at the highest level added another layer of emotion to an already unforgettable night.

Championship Picture Tightens

The 2026 Formula DRIFT championship battle is now fully alive.

Conor Shanahan still leads the standings, but Deane’s comeback, Gittin’s surprise victory, and Sorensen’s rapid rise have compressed the field significantly. With multiple championship favorites struggling in Atlanta, momentum is shifting quickly as the series heads deeper into the season.

Ford also capitalized heavily during the weekend, taking over the lead in the 2026 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup with a 25-point advantage over Toyota. In the Tire Cup standings, GT Radial remains on top, while Nitto climbed into second place thanks to the strong performances from the RTR drivers.

If Road Atlanta proved anything, it’s that the 2026 Formula DRIFT season is far from predictable — and the battle for the championship may ultimately come down to who can survive the chaos.