Formula Drift Update: Justin Pawlak Takes the Victory at Round 2

May 12, 2012

Justin Pawlak Takes the Victory at Round 2: Road to the Championship;
Pawlak Remains on Top of the Standings and Becomes the Tires.com Triple Crown Leader

Long Beach, Calif. – May 12, 2012 – Formula DRIFT returned to Road Atlanta for Round 2: Road to the Championship. Justin Pawlak takes the victory in the Falken Tire Mustang increasing his point lead in the Pro Championship Points Standings.

Round 2: Road to the Championship brought the Formula DRIFT Pro Championship back to the Series birthplace nine years ago. Fans came in droves seeing an increase in attendance at Road Atlanta. This marks another consecutive season of growth.

“It’s very satisfying that Road Atlanta and Formula DRIFT have formed a partnership nine years ago to help grow drifting in this region,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “We look forward to our ten year anniversary at this venue next season.”

Justin Pawlak takes his second consecutive victory to increase his points lead. Additionally, Pawlak is now the points leader in the Tires.com Triple Crown bonus prize. Pawlak faced Fredric Aasbo in the Need for Speed / Hankook Scion TC and edged out the 2010 Rookie of the Year to take the victory. Walker Wilkerson in the Falken / Fatlace / Garage Autohero Nissan 240SX battled Formula DRIFT rookie, Daigo Saito in the Achilles Tire / Bridges Racing Lexus SC430 in the consolation round. After a one more time battle Saito beat out Wilkerson to take his second third place finish of the season.

“The boys at ASD and Falken gave me what I need to help me get to that number 1 spot,” said Justin Pawlak, winner of Round 2: Road to the Championship. “Next round is West Palm Beach and with a great car and great team we were able to take the win there last year and plan to remain focused and keep this momentum going.”

The Formula DRIFT Pro Championship continues with Round 3: Invasion at West Palm Beach International Raceway on June 1-2, 2012.

For more information visit: http://www.formulad.com/

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2012 Point Standings After 2 Events

1. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang 209 Points
2. Saito, Daigo Achilles Tire / Bridges Racing Lexus SC430 157.50 Points
3. Aasbo, Fredric Need for Speed / Papadakis Racing Scion TC 152 Points
4. Millen, Rhys Hankook / Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe 127 Points
5. Powers, Matt Need for Speed / Nitto Nissan S14 126.50 Points
6. Tuerck, Ryan Team Retaks Nissan 240SX 120.50 Points
7. Yoshihara, Daijiro America’s Tire / Falken Tire Nissan S13 118 Points
8. Bakchis, Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis Motorsports Nissan 240SX S14 117.25 Points
9. Kado, Ryan Ryan Kado Racing Nissan 350Z 114 Points
10. Mohan, Kyle Nexen Tire / Mazdatrix Mazda RX-8 109.50 Points
11. Yoshioka, Toshiki RS*R Nissan Silvia S15 108.50 Points
12. Essa, Michael GSR Autosport / Nitto BMW ZR4 97.50 Points
13. Gittin Jr., Vaughn Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang 96 Points
14. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Hankook Nissan 370Z 93 Points
15. McQuarrie, Tyler Mobil 1 Camaro 88.50 Points
16. Moen, Kenneth Lutz Performance Nissan 350Z 87.50 Points
Round 2: Road to the Championship Event Results
1. Pawlak, Justin Falken Tire Ford Mustang Winner
2. Aasbo, Fredric Need for Speed / Hankook Scion TC Second Place
3. Saito, Daigo Achilles Tire / Bridges Racing Lexus SC430 Third Place

Tags: Atlanta, drift, formula d, formula drift, JTP
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