Dmitry Brutskiy claims historic third Formula DRIFT PROSPEC title in Vegas

Following the return of Formula DRIFT to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dmitriy Brutskiy is the 2026 Formula DRIFT PROSPEC Champion and the first three-time winner in series history, previously winning the title in 2020 and 2021.

The newly crowned Champion was somewhat disappointed not to complete a perfect weekend by also winning Round 4, but admitted he was distracted by the news of his nearest rival's demise before starting his Top 8 heat. Brutskiy lost the heat to Dustyn Farell and placed sixth in the Round 4 results.

“It was weird to have the pressure for the Championship removed when you’re used to running under extreme pressure,” Brutskiy explained. “I got distracted by the news and lost the heat. I may also have blown my engine doing donuts afterwards!”

Second place in the 2026 PROSPEC title race went to Rookie Jason Webb. With only a seven-point deficit coming into the Final Round, he needed one more heat win than Brutskiy to claim the crown. However, broken front suspension forced him to retire from his Top 8 heat. He finished fifth on the night but as a consolation was crowned the 2026 PROSPEC Rookie of the Year.

By winning Round 4, 16 year-old Rookie Braden Lons (USA) squeezed past 15 year-old Camren Sorensen (USA) to capture third place in the Championship by a narrow two-point margin. He arrived in Vegas holding sixth position but the 50-point haul from his Competition victories gave Lons his first PROSPEC win and placed him third overall.

The top three Championship finishers are entitled to a Formula DRIFT PRO Championship license, allowing them to moving up next year, if they wish. Brutskiy actually secured that endorsement previously and competed in PRO during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, choosing to focus on PROSPEC this year. Ironically, Sorensen was eliminated from the Top 16 heats by Lons. The Vegas native finished the night in ninth place and dropped to fourth overall.

Kasey Kohl finished second at FD LV after a very close battle with Lons that produced a split decision from the judges. The result was Kohl's best ever PROSPEC finish, propelling him from 20th position to eighth overall.

After beating Brutskiy in the Top 8 heats, Rookie Farell was eliminated from the Final 4 by Kasey Kohl on his way to the Final. However, Farell secured his first Formula DRIFT podium by placing third, and finished seventh in PROSPEC.

The Final Round 8 of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship will take place on the street circuit in Long Beach, CA on October 23-24. Please visit formulad.com for ticket information, driver profiles, special content, and the event livestream. Fans can find the free-to-view event livestream at formulad.com/live and on Racer Network through the Racer+ app and Racer Select. The PRO Championship Top 16 will only be available via the Racer Network.