The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Team Penske today announced that the 2022 DAYTONA 500-winning No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang is joining the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s ‘Glory Road: 75 Years’ exhibit. Proudly positioned at the front of the popular Glory Road display inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Discount Tire Ford Mustang becomes the 19th and final car to join the fifth generation of the must-see exhibit. With 33 degrees of banking and featuring some of the most significant vehicles in NASCAR history displayed on the Glory Road “track,” the exhibit expands to 19 cars in 2023 for the first time in its history.

On Tuesday, Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang, joined Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations for Team Penske, and Tom Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer for Discount Tire, to reveal the newest addition to ‘Glory Road: 75 Years.’

“It’s surreal to see a car with my name on it in the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Cindric, the 2022 DAYTONA 500 Champion and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year. “Winning the DAYTONA 500 is an amazing achievement for me, our team and our partners. So, to say this car is important to us, is an understatement. I know it will be in great hands. There's a lot of history in that place. I'm proud to have it on display as part of the experience.”

‘Glory Road: 75 Years’ features a diverse display of historical machines that pays tribute to the people, cars and moments that have helped shaped NASCAR racing from its formative years to the current era, spanning the sport’s first 75 years. The addition of the Ford Mustang that Cindric drove to victory in last year’s DAYTONA 500 marks the first car from the Next Gen era to be featured in the display at the Hall of Fame.

“As the league celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, our team is proud to play a part in that history,” said Michael Nelson, President of NASCAR Operations for Team Penske. “When I look at all the cars on ‘Glory Road’ and I see the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang, it’s a reminder of our team’s hard work and the success that comes from their effort and dedication.”

Cindric’s historic victory – the first-ever by a rookie racer in the DAYTONA 500 – came in just his eighth start in NASCAR’s premier series. The win also serves as a key highlight of the partnership between Team Penske and Discount Tire, as the two organizations celebrate their 14^th year together in 2023.

“It’s exciting to be here with Austin (Cindric) and the No. 2 Team Penske crew as we’re reunited with the DAYTONA 500-winning Discount Tire Ford Mustang to see it become a true part of NASCAR history,” said Tom Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Discount Tire. “We’ve enjoyed 36 wins and five Championships with Team Penske, and we look forward to achieving more milestones together in the seasons to come.”     

Fans can view the Discount Tire Ford Mustang on display in ‘Glory Road: 75 Years’ during regular business hours at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

For decades the best in nostalgia drag racing has drawn racers, hot rodders, and fans to Bowling Green, Ky., and Bakersfield, Calif., to experience how the sport of drag racing began.

It was always Wally Parks’ vision to unify hot rodders from coast to coast who were looking to measure themselves against the best of the best. The quarter-mile became their chosen measuring stick, and the cars were the stars.

Now, with 30 years of nostalgia racing under its belt, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced its two 2023 Hot Rod Reunion events will relaunch as the Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals.

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits will serve as Grand Marshal of the Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals presented by Holley event at Beech Bend Raceway, and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme will be the Grand Marshal of the Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals event at Famoso Dragstrip.

“We are excited as we prepare to take nostalgia drag racing to a whole new level at Beech Bend Raceway and Famoso Dragstrip in 2023,” said Dale Coleman, Chairman of the Board of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. “We aim to create an environment that looks and feels like drag racing in the golden era of our sport. These races will be an opportunity for drag racing fans young and old to experience heads-up quarter-mile drag racing the way it was.”

Both events will feature three days of nostalgia racing, the coolest hot rods, the finest show cars, unheard-of swap-meet finds, and legends of the sport. The Beech Bend Raceway event will take place in Bowling Green, Ky., June 15-17, 2023, and the Famoso Dragstrip event will happen Oct. 13-15, 2023. Both locations are hallowed ground for drag racers and are steeped in ’60s and ’70s drag racing history. 

The Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals is produced by and benefits the NHRA Motorsports Museum, an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and cultural organization. All proceeds (ticket sales, racer entries, merchandise sales, memberships, and donations) directly support the daily operations, program, and events of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

(Courtesy of NHRA Communications)

South Florida Motorsports (SFM) have today revealed the Food & Beverage (F&B) partners that will bring a flavor of South Florida to the year’s FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2023. An incredible array of culinary delights will be on offer around the entire Campus of the Miami International Autodrome, ranging from several James Beard award-winning chefs to local, minority-owned eateries. With offerings to suit all tastes, the weekend of May, 5-7 will be a gastronomic experience like no other that will reflect the most prestigious, world-renowned restaurants in Miami, as well as the most authentic, cultural offerings the region has to offer.

South Florida is renowned for its bar and restaurant culture and in bringing a taste of Miami to the racetrack, over 65 restaurants will be featured around Miami International Autodrome, showcasing a variety of cuisines including both vegetarian and vegan options. Throughout the weekend, fans can enjoy world-class, premium cuisine from the campus’ hospitality partner, Sodexo Live!, led by Executive Chef Jonathan Cowan. Organizers of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2023 are also delighted to welcome back a number of award-winning chefs and unique bar experiences.

Returning to Miami International Autodrome this year is James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. With her bright and modern take on Latin American cuisine, the Miami native is set to offer an eclectic menu fusing Old-World favorites with contemporary techniques and innovative flavor profiles. Bernstein’s signature style of vibrant, yet simple layered flavors, will this year wow patrons of the luxury Yacht Club hospitality and MIA Marina general admission areas. Guests can anticipate dishes like a Wagyu Ribeye Sandwich, Shrimp Aguachile Tostada, and many more crave-worthy delights imbued with “Michy’s” golden touch.

Native Floridian David Grutman has established himself with a number of world-famous eateries in the greater Miami area and beyond. His firm Groot Hospitality owns Strawberry Moon, Papi Steak, Komodo, Swan and The Key Club, amongst others, as well as nightlife mainstays such as LIV at Fontainebleau and Story.  Groot Hospitality will return this year to partner with 72 Club presented by J.P. Morgan Payments on the Miami International Autodrome Campus and will serve a delicious selection of signature items from its many restaurants, including Peking Duck, Chips & Caviar, Wagyu Pastrami and more.

Major Food Group (MFG) is one of the most celebrated, innovative, and successful companies in the history of the hospitality business. Founded a decade ago by Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi, MFG has established a global empire that today exceeds forty restaurants, private clubs, bars, and hotels, along the way setting a new standard for the industry. Among the brand’s numerous iconic concepts—which represent the pinnacle of dining and luxury in cities from New York and Las Vegas to Paris and Hong Kong—are CARBONE, The Grill, Dirty French, ZZ’s Club, Sadelle’s, Contessa, and Torrisi Bar & Restaurant. While each brand this creative force brings to life is distinct, they all reflect MFG’s refined, celebratory, and thoroughly contemporary approach to its craft.  This year, MFG will again provide food, beverage and hospitality for the iconic Palm Club.

One of the most unique locations at the Miami International Autodrome is the soulful, meticulously curated hospitality lounge at the Casa Tua Trackside Club. With its elegant design, traditional Italian cuisine and impeccable service, this one-of-a-kind experience is located at Turn 1, perfectly positioned at pit-exit and offers trackside views of the action in the surroundings of an exclusive club.

Award-winning Chef Brad Kilgore will be serving up his incredible range of progressive American cuisine which will highlight local Floridian ingredients and flavors in the 1 North Suites. Chef Kilgore is a James Beard Nominee for Best Chef South in addition to being named 'New Best Chef' in the country by Best Chefs America and Best New Chefs in America by the celebrated Food & Wine magazine.

The Start/Finish Suites presented by Gainbridge will proudly host one of the nation’s top celebrity chefs. Best known for her TV roles on Top Chef Masters and America’s Next Great Restaurant, Lorena Garcia will be dazzling patrons in this world class hospitality space. Revered for her fresh and highly flavorful take on Latin cuisine, where she fuses traditional ingredients with classic techniques, chef Lorena Garcia will bring an exotic taste of Central and South America to Miami.

In addition to the Participating Restaurants and minority-owned outlets, organizers are also pleased to announce their beverage partners for the forthcoming FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2023. As last year the MIA Margarita will once again be the signature cocktail of the event, thanks to Herradura Ultra. Additional beverage activations include Hendrick’s that will be housed in a 3-storey bar in the East Campus accessible to General Admission Campus Pass holders.  

Glenfiddich will have a branded bar in the MIA Marina, while Formula 1 Global Partner Ferrari Trento will activate a custom Sparkling Wine bar in the North Campus. Red Bull bars and Heineken, as exclusive beer partner, will also be featured throughout the venue, with the latter offering their sustainable Greener Bar. Hendrick’s Gin, Cincoro Tequila, Organika, Monkey Shoulder, Whistle Pig, Coconut Cartel, Stoli Elit, Flor de Cana, Jack Daniel’s and La Fete Rose have also been confirmed.

Within the General Admission Campus Pass access there will be a number of retuning and new offerings to the Miami International Autodrome. In 2023 Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, South Florida's iconic brand known as a fast-casual taqueria by day and speakeasy-style lounge by night, makes its return. Founded in 2015 in South Beach by Keith Menin and Jared Galbut, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is famous for serving up an extensive menu showcasing authentic Mexican favorites alongside inventive, tasty cocktails.

Another popular Latin eatery is Cantina La Veinte, owned by the Mexican hospitality company Cinbersol Group, which is bringing its flavors from the heart of Miami to the racetrack.

With its roots in Miami’s culture and history, Casa Florida has the oldest recorded hotel license in Miami, dating back to 1898. Located on the Miami River, Casa Florida serves a variety of exotic dishes including Palmito Ceviche, Key West Shrimp Cocktail, Atlantic Tuna Tostada and Lobster Roll, amongst others.

Located in the beautiful Wynwood art district of Miami, dōma is a neighborhood restaurant featuring Mediterranean inspired, Southern Italian cuisine. New to the Miami International Autodrome in 2023, dōma features a contemporary menu that includes a number of classic Italian dishes as well as more modern selections with the best available, quality in-season local ingredients.

Café Versailles has been serving tasty Cuban cuisine to the South Florida community for five decades. Soon after it opened its doors in 1971, Versailles quickly became the gathering place and unofficial town square for Miami’s Cuban exiles and remains a vital part of the community today.

One of Miami’s favourites is Tacology, which is a ‘mercado style dining’, where people can choose from various stations (Tacos, Ceviches y Tostadas, Desserts, Salads and juices) where they offer authentic and artistic Mexican tacos from home-made corn tortillas, colorful ceviches and delicious salads.

Harry’s Pizzeria is the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning executive chef, Michael Schwartz. The Philadelphia-born founder of The Genuine Hospitality Group, Schwartz is the face of the South Florida restaurant industry and a nationally recognized celebrity chef. Locals and tourists alike have come to embrace and crave his restaurant's refreshing combination of laid-back, bistro atmosphere and straightforward food emphasizing fresh, local ingredients.

Known as the eclectic neighborhood gastropub, Pubbelly Sushi brings a hyper-creative fusion of Japanese and Latin-inspired dishes by chef José Mendín. When Mendín founded the first Pubbelly, his intention was singular: create a place where chefs could eat high-quality, affordable dishes in a cool atmosphere. Pubbelly became an instant locals' favorite when it opened in 2010.

Dos Croquetas was founded in 2016 by Alec Fernandez and his business partner Vicky Carballo, with a mission to bring the best handcrafted croquetas to Miami. At their restaurant in Westchester, they strive to create innovative and unique flavors using only the finest, fresh ingredients that are sure to delight the senses.

“We’re absolutely delighted to confirm our Food & Beverage partners for this year’s race,” said Tyler Epp, president of FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2023. “All our guests will love the range of culinary options available, from the world class offerings served up by some of America’s top chefs, to the diverse food culture of the local and minority-owned restaurants. We pride ourselves on delivering the very best food and beverages from the South Florida region and incorporating it into our spectacular global event.”

There will also be 14 locally-based, minority-owned restaurants that will have a presence at this year’s event and will be featured at locations around the Miami International Autodrome, and supported by the team at Sodexo Live!

Adam’s Catering: BBQ staple in the community

Drinks On Me 305: Food truck offering traditional American cuisine

Food Junkies on Wheels: Deep fried southern specialties

Italian Vice: Miami’s gourmet Italian ice company

La Vela Coffee Roasters: Serving high quality, freshly roasted coffee for more than 50 years

Lovely’s: Dedicated to healthy eating specializing in island and Caribbean food

Tasebudz: Cost-effective meals with a great American flavor

Reggae Beets: Gourmet food featuring a dynamic Jamaican vegan menu

SDC Treats: A small batch freshly baked from scratch treats.

SEED: Mobile foodservice owned and operated by R&H Seed Group

Soulfly chicken: Tasteful, authentic comfort food with deep Southern roots

Ten’s Kitchen: Over 20 years of experience in soul food and Caribbean dishes

Troy’s Barbeque: Award-winning spare ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and chicken

We Shuckin Eatery: Locally-sourced Southern Soul Food

Today Celsius Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: CELH), maker of lifestyle energy drink, CELSIUS®, announced a partnership with Scuderia Ferrari as the exclusive energy drink partner across all US Formula One Grand Prix races in 2023.

As part of this partnership, the CELSIUS® logo will appear on the team’s car, starting at the Miami Grand Prix, the first of the three US based races this season. In addition, CELSIUS® will provide fans and consumers with engaging digital and social media content dedicated to Scuderia Ferrari and with activations on and off track.

Speaking on the Partnership, “CELSIUS® shares Scuderia Ferrari’s superior commitment to innovation, excellence and performance,” said John Fieldly, President and Chief Executive Officer of CELSIUS. “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with one of the sport’s most iconic brands as the Exclusive Energy Drink Partner for the 2023 US Grand Prix Races and to engage millions of Formula 1 enthusiasts. Ferrari has been an iconic brand in Formula 1’s long history and we are thrilled to power the team with CELSIUS® providing Essential Energy for peak performance. Competing at the highest level of performance is in our DNA at CELSIUS and having a partner who shares our mindset and passion for performance is a perfect match.”

CELSIUS® is functional, Essential Energy, a better-for-you, premium alternative to traditional energy drinks. Made with a clinically proven formula of energy-boosting ingredients, 7 Essential Vitamins and zero sugar, CELSIUS® was created to help people LIVE FIT, exceed their goals, and elevate their everyday lives. 

 Tickets for the 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix have gone on sale to the public today for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s U.S. GEN3 race debut at the Portland International Raceway (PIR) set for Saturday, June 24 - the only U.S. stop on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship circuit this season. Beginning at 10 a.m. PT, tickets will be available at portlandgp.com.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the world’s most advanced all-electric motorsport race series, consisting of 16 rounds of racing in 11 iconic cities including Berlin, London, Rome, Monaco, Cape Town, Hyderabad and São Paulo. The 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix on June 24, Round 12 of the championship, will mark the first Formula E race in Portland, making it the fourth U.S. city along with Long Beach, California; Miami and New York City to host a Formula E race since the inception of the series in 2014.  

Alberto Longo, Chief Championship Officer, Formula E said: “The United States is a key market for Formula E and we are excited to race in a city with such a long history of staging motor racing. Portland is also recognized as a city with a passionate fanbase for elite sports alongside a strong commitment to environmental and sustainability matters. As such, we believe fans will welcome us to their hometown and enjoy the unique, spectacular, family-friendly motor racing experience of a Formula E race.”

Formula E features a diverse lineup of 22 drivers from 11 international teams including two American-based entries: Indianapolis-based Avalanche Andretti Formula E and DS PENSKE, headquartered in Los Angeles. Both Andretti and Penske have competed in the series since the inaugural 2014/2015 campaign, racking up 24 and 12 podiums, respectively. Through six rounds of competition this season, German driver Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team leads the championship with 86 points followed by Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis with 62 points. 

Three categories of grandstand seating options are available starting at $35 for the one-day event on Saturday, June 24 at PIR. The 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix offers a great value experience for a family experience with tickets for spectators ages 3 to 15 available for half price, while children aged 2 and under can attend for free. All ticket pricing and options are posted online at portlandgp.com. 

Information about two other major spectators events at Portland International Raceway can also be found at portlandgp.com: the Pacific Office Automation 147 (June 2-3, 2023), featuring the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the Grand Prix of Portland (Sept. 1-3, 2023), headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Stay up to speed on all three events on social media all year long by following #PortlandEPrix, #NASCARPortland and #PortlandGP or by signing up for the E-Club. 

Kicking off its landmark 20th Anniversary season, the opening round was an opportunity to see a number of the new initiatives introduced by Formula DRIFT to give fans and teams an even more powerful connection to the series. Among these is a significantly increased prize purse, giving drivers a greater incentive to go for gold. There is also a new roster of official tire suppliers for the PRO teams, including GT Radial, Kenda Tire, Nexen Tire, Nitto Tire and Vitour Tire.

To speed up the qualifying and competition heats, Formula DRIFT has introduced a number of changes to the judging system. During qualifying, the final score is an average of the points awarded by each of the three judges, who can now consider an “X factor” score to recognize the drivers who put it all on the line. Each judge assesses the entire run rather than focusing on either line, angle or style. The judges also have access to additional information, including new light systems in every car that indicate acceleration or deceleration, as well as access to in-car telemetry to really understand what the driver was doing. 

The Formula DRIFT teams obviously play a huge part in making 2023 an unforgettable experience and perhaps the biggest talking point was the return of three-time FD PRO Champion James Deane (Ireland) who joined the RTR Motorsports team. The team also includes the hard-charging Chelsea DeNofa and two-time FD PRO Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr who returned to the series and will share an RTR Mustang with YouTube star Adam LZ. 

It remains to be seen whether RTR will be an unbeatable combination, but certainly their qualifying form suggested they mean business. 

Other 2023 highlights includes the official Formula DRIFT podcast Outerzone, which will connect fans to the sport at a deeper level. And there’s the new FD Hall of Fame, which will be include a permanent monument erected in the city of Long Beach; and the first inductees were announced by FD co-founder Jim Liaw during the weekend, recognizing the significant contribution of legendary drivers Rhys Millen and Samuel Hubinette. 

PRO QUALIFYING

The K&N Qualifying session took place in warm, sunny conditions and saw a minor change to the profile of Outside Zone 2 (OZ2) on the Streets of Long Beach course. The turn had be tightened slightly to help the drivers flow through the course better.

For 2023, qualifying returned to a reverse order format, with the newest drivers running first and the 2022 PRO Champion saved until last. This meant the returning three-time FD PRO Champion James Deane (Ireland) was among the first runners after his three-year sabbatical. 

Like all the drivers, Deane’s single qualifying run would be assessed by the new scoring procedure that allowed all three judges to award up to 90 points for the entire run, with an additional 10 points awarded for the “X factor.” The final points score would be an average of all three judges’ scores. 

The judges for FD LB included Ryan Lanteigne (Canada), Chris Uhl (USA) and Robbie Nishida (Japan). The fourth judge, Brian Eggert (USA), was a Driver's Steward for the weekend and will appear at future rounds as the roster rotates.

Deane’s qualifying run in his AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD scored 92.66 points out of a possible 100. It put him in top spot for most of the K&N qualifying session, only to be bettered by Ryan Tuerck (USA) at the tail end. Repeating his performance from 2022, Tuerck executed an astonishing run that saw him tap the rear bumper of the Rain-X / Nitto Tire / Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Corolla against each Outside Zone. For his efforts, Tuerck received 98.33 points, including a perfect X-factor score. And thanks to the Knockout Qualifying Format (KQF), which requires the bottom eight qualifiers to run a second time, both Tuerck and Deane received bye runs through the Top 32 heats after two drivers failed to qualify. 

Drivers relegated to KQF included Mike Power (USA), Nick Noback (USA), Robert Thorne (USA), Matt Field (USA), Jonathan Hurst (USA), Adam LZ (USA), Kyle Mohan (USA) and Joao Barion (Brazil). These drivers had the lowest scores or an incomplete qualifying run. KQF gives them all a second chance to fill the bottom eight places. Fortunately, 32 drivers were attempting to qualify for the 32 competition spots, so nobody would be eliminated unless they failed to complete run. 

As it happened, both Mohan and Barion failed to complete their second runs, handing Tuerck and Deane their bye runs.

Chelsea DeNofa (USA) placed third in the Pennzoil / BC Racing Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD, meaning two RTR drivers occupied the top three positions. The third member, Adam LZ (USA), qualified 30th and last.

The top qualifiers receive championship points, with three going to the top spot, two for second and one for third. This can make a significant difference during the course of the season with a maximum of 24 points available. And when you consider Fredric Aasbo (Norway) claimed the 2022 title by a narrow 37 points, it’s certainly worth fighting for.

Reigning and three-time Champion Aasbo qualified seventh in the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra with 85.66 points, making his path to the Final more challenging. But not as difficult as Matt Field – who finished second in 2022 and led the FD PRO Championship for the majority of the season. He spun on his first run and participated in KQF where he qualified 27th with 78.66 points. This meant Field’s first competition heat in the Borla Performance / GT Radial Corvette would be against three-time FD PRO Champion Chris Forsberg (USA) driving the NOS Energy Drink / GT Radial Nissan Z, which would be an intense start to their day for both of them.

Forrest Wang (USA), another returnee to the FD PRO Championship after a four-year absence, qualified his Yellowspeed / NRG Nissan S15 in a strong fifth position with a score of 88.33 points. While the 2022 Formula DRIFT PROSPEC Champion, Robert Thorne, competing in his first PRO event qualified 28th with 74 points and was happy to survive KQF in his ASM E46 Sedan PRO Edition.

PRO COMPETITION

Having qualified in such a lowly position and needing to overcome a number of major obstacles, Matt Field’s win at the opening round of the 2023 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship proved he’d lost none of the determination that drove him to the top last year, only to lose by a handful of points. 

As mentioned, the first contest for Field’s Borla Performance / GT Radial Corvette was Forsberg’s Nissan Z, and after their first runs the judges were unable to separate their performances. When this happens the judges can request the drivers run One More Time (OMT), repeating both runs to see who blinks first. With both drivers performing well in the lead and chase positions, it was Forsberg’s impact with the wall at OZ1 that separated them. The subsequent correction by Forsberg saw points deducted and Field advance.

In the Top 16, Dean Kearney (Ireland) represents a clear and present danger in the HyperNFT Dodge Viper. However, a number of mistakes during his chase run allowed Field to progress into the Top 8 where the Pennzoil / BC Racing Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD of Chelsea DeNofa awaited him. There is no easy way to beat DeNofa but an over-rotation in OZ2 saw him slide backwards into the tire wall. After checking the Mustang for damage, Field simply had to complete his lead run to get the judges’ decision.

The Top 4 would see a repeat of the 2022 Quarter Final between Field and Aasbo. One year ago, the Norwegian had transitioned fractionally early in OZ2 and the subsequent collision slung Field’s Vette into the wall, causing considerable damage. Unable to effect repairs in the allotted time, Field advanced to the Final but Tuerck was awarded the win because the Corvette didn’t make the start line.

With all that history weighing on their shoulders, there was an audible gasp when Field spun shortly after initiating into OZ1, hitting the wall and grinding to a halt. In what appeared to be driver error, it was the new “decel” lights fitted to the cars that showed Aasbo had momentarily slowed to correct his Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra after rubbing against the wall. With the red light visible on the Formula DRIFT livestream instant replay, the judges assessed the Toyota driver to be at fault. 

“It was on me. I’m sorry for sending him into the wall,” a contrite Aasbo said once the decision was made. “He (Field) moves on but we had a great weekend, made some progress with the car, and I’m happy to be on the podium but I have a love-hate relationship with this track.”

With fluids leaking from Field’s Corvette, it was towed to the Drift Cave pits where the damage was assessed and 15min were available under the rules to effect repairs. 

“After last year’s crash we built the car stronger. The crashable tube front-end was designed to take the hit. We put a new one on, changed the intercooler, some parts, and it was good to go,” Field reported after the race.

With Aasbo ruled at fault, the Corvette simply had to complete a clean lead run to be awarded the victory, where he’d face Rome Charpentier (USA) in the Garagistic / Vitour Tire BMW E36.

An FD PRO rookie in 2020, Charpentier has made dramatic progress, placing second in New Jersey last year and putting his competitors on notice. And at FD Long Beach, he ploughed through the heats, beating Nick Noback (USA) in the Top 32, the extremely experience Ken Gushi (Japan) in the Top 16, and crushing the dreams of Forrest Wang (USA) in the Top 8. 

In the Top 4, Charpentier was matched against Jonathan Hurst (USA) in the Cash Racing BMW E46. Hurst was a man on a mission, having beaten Odi Bakchis (Lithuania), Taylor Hull (USA) and Ryan Tuerck (USA) to reach the Quarter Final and was equally determined to win the round. 

In a battle of the titans between two BMW driver on the new Vitour tires, Charpentier executed a faultless lead run. Having cut a few zones to maintain proximity in the chase position, the pressure was on Hurst for his lead run. With a horsepower advantage, Hurst initiated at high speed but thumped the wall in OZ1, throwing his trunk lid into the path of Charpentier. Swerving to avoid the debris, Charpentier struggled to regain his composure and spun his BMW at Inside Clip 1.

After reviewing the replays, the judges put blame for the spin on Hurst, allowing Charpentier to advance to the Final. Hurst placed fourth overall because he qualified 25th compared to Aasbo in 7th.

In the Final, there was some trepidation about whether Field’s car would hold together but he maintained great proximity in the chase position and went deep enough to touch the walls at OZ1 and 3 on his lead run. It was enough to give him a well-deserved win and return him to the top of the title standings, where he spent most of 2022.

“The gameplan for Long Beach was to just show up,” Field told us after the podium ceremony. “Media Day, test sessions, practice: just show up. Pushing hard at 100% is super-difficult but I spent the entire off-season building a new car and trying to build a team for instances where you have very little time to repair the car.”

“I’ve been waiting for this win for so long. Long Beach is my absolute favorite track and finally we showed up when it mattered and got the win. I had to rise to the occasion, forget about the mistakes and focus on reaching the podium. After the wreck, the boys absolutely killed it, which is why you need a great team. They got us on the top step of the podium,” Field declared.

“Going against Fredric, I knew anything could happen. When you’re that close, stuff happens so quickly but I’m glad the judges saw it from my point of view.” 

For Charpentier, second place was an incredible achievement, especially since Vitour Tire had only joined the series a few weeks before the opening round, giving the teams very little time for testing. However, the success of Charpentier and Hurst put Vitour at the top of the 2023 Formula DRIFT Tire Cup, above its experienced rivals, while Field catapulted Chevrolet in the top spot of the 2023 FD Auto Cup.

The top Formula DRIFT PRO Rookie at Long Beach was Diego Higa (Brazil) who placed 22nd overall in his Toyota GT86.

Before slipping away for his traditional post-race pedicure, we caught up with Formula DRIFT President, Ryan Sage: “This was an incredible kick off to the 20th Anniversary in front of a sold-out crowd of our amazing fans who stayed to the very end. And they saw a fascinating story unfold with Matt Field who was among the drivers who really felt the loss of their former tire partner. But he turned it around, found a new tire supplier and title sponsor and was able to arrive seemingly without skipping a beat. Despite qualifying horribly, he was able to fight through an incredibly tough bracket to reach the Final against Rome, who had looked phenomenal all day. And with Matt, Rome, Fredric and Jonathan in the top 4 places, we have old and new faces battling each other in what’s shaping up to be a tremendous season. We can’t wait to see what happens at Road Atlanta next month when the PRO and PROSPEC teams take to the track!”

2023 FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

ROUND 1 FD PRO TOP 16 DRIVER POINTS & CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

2023 AUTO CUP TOP FIVE STANDINGS

2023 TIRE CUP STANDINGS

NEXT ROUND

Drift Atlanta presented by Bud Light at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will host the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Round 2: TYPE S Road to the Championship presented by AutoZone on May 11-13. Please visit formulad.com for the competition schedule, ticket information, driver profiles, special content, and the event livestream

 Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is giving bidders the chance to drive home in the European sports car or supercar of their dreams during this year’s Palm Beach Auction, April 13-15, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Some of the most desirable European cars included in this year’s docket feature an 885-horsepower 2018 McLaren 720S (Lot #738), a 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider (Lot #737) and two 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS models featuring the Weissach Package, including Lot #744 with just 80 actual miles.

“European supercars traditionally feature distinctive designs and performance capabilities that command attention wherever they appear,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “They are a favorite among enthusiasts, especially at our Palm Beach Auction. We have assembled an exemplary and diverse selection of these vehicles for the bidders this weekend in Palm Beach, all of which will be crossing the auction block with No Reserve.”

The silver and black 2018 McLaren 720S (Lot #738) is powered by a 4.0-liter M840T twin-turbo V8 engine with an 885-horsepower VF Stage 2 tune mated to a 7-speed Graziano dual-clutch manual transmission. Designed by SWAE Outfitting Company in collaboration with 1016 Industries, it features a full-carbon widebody kit with 200 pounds of weight reduction and 3D-printed Titanium wing mounts.

Powerful Porsches crossing the block in Palm Beach include two highly desirable 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS models, each featuring the Weissach Package (Lot #744 and Lot #748.1), and a 2019 Porsche Speedster (Lot #745) with only 34 actual miles. The Guards Red 2019 speedster boasts a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine producing 502 horsepower, paired with a manual 6-speed transmission. Also among the 911s offered is Lot #736, a nostalgic 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo finished in factory Speed Yellow over a dark gray interior and is in its original condition.

Lot #737 is a 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider powered by a turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The hardtop convertible is outfitted with red brake calipers, carbon-fiber rear air ducts, Daytona-style seats and the Ferrari Cavallino stitched on the headrests. With less than 2,800 actual miles, this Ferrari rides on Rose Gold wheels and is also equipped with a carbon-fiber steering wheel, LED lights, an in/out electric mirror with HomeLink and a premium Hi-Fi system.

“From the vintage Italian design of De Tomaso to modern British performance and engineering of Aston Martin, we’ll auction an incredible selection of European collectibles,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “Bidders in Palm Beach will have the luxury of taking their pick from extraordinary options by top European automakers, including Ferrari, Aston Martin, McLaren, De Tomaso, Porsche, Audi and Maserati.”

Lot #664 is a dark red 1974 De Tomaso Pantera GTS, one of just 150 GTS models ordered. This GTS is powered by a 351ci V8 engine paired with a ZF 5-speed manual transmission and its exterior is accented by a blacked-out hood and trunk. Two custom 1972 De Tomaso Panteras will also cross the block in Palm Beach with No Reserve. Lot #742 is a Black Cherry twin-turbo-powered show-quality car with over six years and 10,000 hours in its custom rotisserie restoration build. The twin-turbo power flows through a ZF 5-speed manual gearbox, and the car comes equipped with an Alpine audio system, power windows, power mirrors, power brakes and air conditioning. Finished in finished in Racing Orange, Lot #702 has only 69 miles since its complete nut-and-bolt customization and restoration. It is powered by a custom-built 600-horsepower V8 engine mated to a fully polished ZF 5-speed manual transmission from the Pantera experts at PI Motorsport in California.

Often recognized for appearances in James Bond films, Aston Martin will be represented at the auction by a 2017 DB11 Launch Edition (Lot #757), one of only 1,000 produced. Fast enough to leave villains in the dust, it is powered by a 600-horsepower twin-turbo V12 engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Madagascar Orange over an Obsidian Black/Argento Gray leather interior, it also includes an 8-inch navigation system, 12-inch color LCD cluster and Bluetooth, and was signed and inspected by the CEO of Aston Martin, Dr. Andy Palmer.

To register to bid on these exquisite European vehicles, please click here. To purchase tickets and VIP Experience packages to Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach Auction, click here.

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