Fredric Aasbo leads Formula Drift series points heading into Seattle
MONROE, Washington (July 17, 2019) - Fredric Aasbo and the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback return to the Pacific Northwest this Friday and Saturday for Round 5 of the 2019 Formula Drift championship
The driver is hoping to extend his podium streak. He earned a win at Round 3 in Atlanta and finished second last month in New Jersey.
"Going into Seattle, it's about keeping the momentum going," said Aasbo. "After spending the past month in Europe with my Toyota 86-X, I'm excited to drive the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback in the USA again this weekend."
The most-winning driver in the series, Aasbo's career has seen him score victory at every track in Formula Drift. His last win at Evergreen Speedway was in 2015 and he scored a second-place result there in 2017. He took home ninth-place points there last year after losing sight of his line in the glare of the setting sun during a close Top 16 match.
"This event is about focus for our team," said Aasbo. "The level of competition is so high in the series right now that you can't afford to make even a small mistake."
Located about a half-hour's drive from Seattle, Evergreen Speedway is an historic oval track that features a steep banking and rough transitions. Originally a horse track, the facility began hosting car races in 1954 and was paved in the early 1960s. The Formula Drift series has a strong fanbase in the region, typically enjoying sell-out crowds.
As the season enters its second half, the driver leads the points with 295, narrowly ahead of Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis with 292. Toyota teammate Ryan Tuerck is third, another 53 points back. Toyota is at the top of the Auto Cup ranking for manufacturers, while Nexen sits second in the Tire Cup.
The team returns to the series after a refresh on the Rockstar Energy Drink / Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback, which has spent the past several weeks with the Papadakis Racing team at their Southern California home base.
Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control. In the Formula Drift series, drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is one of the fastest growing forms of motorsport in the world.