Shanahan looks to hold off Formula DRIFT PRO title rivals at Long Beach this weekend

Mathematically, the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO championship is wide open heading into this weekend’s finale at Long Beach. Realistically though, the four contenders can be broken down into two groups: those named Conor Shanahan, and those that need to find a way to beat him.

The Irishman’s 47-point advantage over closest rival and compatriot James Deane means something needs to go very wrong for Shanahan not to come out on top. What will give his rivals hope is that it was exactly that sort of misfortune for Deane last time out in Las Vegas that handed Shanahan his massive points buffer in the first place. 

Deane, a five-time champion, had a five-point lead going into the Vegas round, and was looking to pad that further ahead of Long Beach. Those plans collapsed when his Deane’s O’Reilly / Pennzoil Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD suffered a rare engine failure.

Despite the setback, and the possible ramifications for his quest for a sixth championship, he’s not changing his approach heading into Long Beach.

“I’m going to be treating the finale like any other round of Formula DRIFT,” he said. “We’re not going to look at the points or be too worried about it, just see how it all unravels going for the best result possible. So, one lap at a time, one battle at a time and the aim is to win the event and look at the points afterwards.”

In addition to the challenge of trying to reel Shanahan in, Deane will also have his work cut out fending off the threats from behind. Just three points separate Deane from fourth-placed Jack Shanahan, and squeezed in between the Irishman is the only American left in the running: Branden Sorensen. 

“With the final round approaching, the points are incredibly close between second, third, and fourth place,” he said. “My mindset going into the last round is the same for the first. Drive to the best of my ability, and make sure the team is prepared for anything. My main goal is to get my first event win of Formula Drift, and I will be pushing hard for it. We are doing everything we can to secure a good result and we will see how the weekend goes.”

Watch the Formula DRIFT PRO championship battle play out in Long Beach LIVE Friday and Saturday on RACER Network and the RACER+ App at the following times, all Eastern:

• Friday, 9:00pm-12:00am, qualifying, RACER+
• Saturday, 4:00-4:30pm, Grid Walk, RACER Network & RACER+
• Saturday, 4:30-7:30pm, Top 32, RACER+
• Saturday, 9:00pm-12:00am, Top 16, RACER Network & RACER+