,
Normally, we’d be looking forward to a third place battle and Essa would be wondering who he would face next. That has changed for 2014 and there is no longer a consolation battle. Instead, third and fourth place get equal points and the final podium spot is determined by qualifying order. So, no matter who would win the next battle, Mike Essa would take third place thanks to his number one qualifying spot.
The final battle of the Final Four would be the “Man in Black” Chris Forsberg and “JTP” Justin Pawlak. His consistency and close proximity to Pawlak ensured that Forsberg would end up facing Kenny Moen in the finals.
While Kenny would have a great run against Chris Forsberg, it was again that consistent speed and style that Forsberg has that put him on top. Kenny Moen, while defeated, will be able to hold his head high as he was able to do far better than he had in 2013. Not only was his car whole, he was on the podium.
The winner of Round 1 at Long Beach is Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tires/NOS Energy Nissan 370Z. Second is Kenny Moen in the Achilles Radial Nissan 240SX. Third is 2013 Formula Drift Champion, Mike Essa in the Essa Autosport/Yokohama/Bilstein BMW M3.
Manufacturers Championships Current Standings
- Nissan – 122.00 points
- Ford – 108.00 points
- BMW – 94.50 points
- Scion – 87.50 points
- Chevrolet – 73.00 points
Tire Championships Current Standings
- Hankook Tires – 157.00 points
- Falken Tires – 119.50 points
- Achilles Radial – 102.00 points
- Nitto Tires – 90.50 points
- Yokohama Tires – 74.00 points
