For Immediate Release
May 11, 2009
Formula DRIFT Round 2: Proving Ground Results;
Chris Forsberg Takes the Victory and the Lead in the Tires.com Triple Crown
Long Beach, Calif. – May 11, 2009 – Formula DRIFT Round 2: Proving Ground at Road Atlanta had Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z claiming the victory. The win moves him into 2nd place overall in the Formula DRIFT Championship point standings and gives him the lead in the chase for the Tires.com Triple Crown bonus.
Road Atlanta, home of the inaugural Formula DRIFT event back in 2004, hosted the 2-day event weekend that was highlighted with the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am competition in association with US Drift and Round 2 of the Professional Championship series. Attendance numbers were the highest of all time for the venue and despite the chance of rain, fans from all across the South East gathered for the drifting filled weekend.
“The fans that come to Road Atlanta are some of the most dedicated and enthusiastic that we have,” said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “The energy of this crowd could be felt and added an additional element of excitement to the event. For the last 6 years we have seen this event grow more and more and we look forward to next season.”
For the second time in his career, Chris Forsberg and the NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z took the victory at Road Atlanta. Forsberg was consistent throughout the event and fought his way through very tough competition on his way to both the event victory the point lead for the Tires.com Triple Crown bonus. Darren McNamara piloting the Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky was a close runner-up and gave a very exciting show with his aggressive and skilled driving. In third place, Ryan Tuerck in the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice added to his Formula DRIFT championship point lead and secured his second consecutive podium finish.
“Road Atlanta has always been an awesome track and the team has had great finishes in the past,” said Chris Forsberg, winner of Round 2: Proving Ground and Tires.com Triple Crown points leader. “I really want to thank NOS Energy Drink and Maxxis tires for continuing their support into 2009, and helping us get back to the top of the podium!”
Formula DRIFT makes a return to Wall Speedway on June 5-6 in Wall, NJ for Round 3: The Gauntlet. Tickets are on-sale now.
| Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings | ||
| 1. Tuerck, Ryan | Gardella Racing / Mobil 1Pontiac Solstice | 182 Points |
| 2. Forsberg, Chris | NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z | 164 Points |
| 3. McNamara, Darren | Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky | 155 Points |
| 4. Hubinette, Samuel | NuFormz / Mopar Dodge Viper | 148 Points |
| 5. Foust, Tanner | Rockstar / Scion Racing Scion TC | 146 Points |
| 6. Nishida, Robbie | Hankook Tires / Dynamic Autosports Nissan 350Z | 135 Points |
| 7. Pawlak, Justin | Mazda USA / Cooper | 121 Points |
| 8. Gittin, Vaughn | Falken Tire Ford Racing Mustang GT | 119 Points |
| 9. Maeng, Joon | Maxxis / LS Auto Nissan S13.5 | 118.50 Points |
| 10. Brakohiapa, Tony | Cooper Tire Ford Mustang | 116.25 Points |
| 11. Aono, Taka | Technosquare Toyota AE86 Corolla | 113.25 Points |
| 12. Verdier, Stephan | Cooper Tire / Crawford Performance Subaru STI | 113 Points |
| 13. MCQuarrie, Tyler | Falken Nissan 350Z | 110.50 Points |
| 14. Millen, Rhys | Red Bull / RMR / Toyo Hyundai Genesis Coupe | 106.50 Points |
| 15. Yoshihara, Daijiro | Falken / Discount Tire Lexus IS350 | 105 Points |
| 16. Petty, Ross | Garage Boso / Falken Nissan S15 | 103.50 Points |
| Round 2: Proving Ground Event Results | ||
| 1. Forsberg, Chris | NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z | |
| 2. McNamara, Darren | Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky | |
| 3. Tuerck, Ryan | Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice | |
| Tires.com Triple Crown Point Standings after 1 of 3 events | ||
| 1. Forsberg, Chris | NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z | 102 Points |
| 2. McNamara, Darren | Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky | 94 Points |
| 3. Tuerck, Ryan | Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice | 80 Points |