Nate Chen claims his first win at Round 3 of Formula DRIFT Link ECU PROSPEC Championship, creating a three-way tie in the title race ahead of the Final Round
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, IL
Event: Competition Results for Formula DRIFT Link ECU PROSPEC Championship Round 3
RESULTS FOR FD PROSPEC ROUND 3
- Nate Chen (USA) – NCR Toyota 86
- Cole Richards (USA) – Koruworks / Richards Racing Toyota GR86
- Dmitriy Brutskiy – Never Settle BMW
NOTES
- In a repeat of Round 2 in New Jersey, the same three Link ECU PROSPEC drivers climbed onto the podium in St Louis tonight. Except the order was changed after Nate Chen claimed his first ever FD win
- Chen took the place from NJ winner Richards, who lost the Final after he dropped a tire into the dirt in Outside Zone 1, launching his GR86 into the air. With the rear tire debeaded and unable to change it, Richards took second ahead of Brutskiy who repeated his third place in NJ
- With ten points available for each heat win, Chen’s victory has set up a fascinating title race as all three podium finishers are now tied on 100 points ahead of a thrilling Final Round in Utah on August 28-30
- The title race couldn’t be closer, since technically Cody Buchanan (USA) in fourth with 80 points could also mathematically claim the Championship if he wins in Utah and his opponents are eliminated from the Top 8 heats
- Chen’s victory was only his second podium since joining PROSPEC in 2021. He beat Brutskiy in the semi-finals to advance to the Final
- As the only double PROSPEC Champion in the series’ 22-year history, Brutskiy has an equal chance of becoming the only three-time Champion in Utah. He’s also competing in the FD PRO Championship this year, increasing his workload significantly
- Fourth place Buchanan failed to compete against Richards in the semi-final following damage sustained in his Top 8 battle against Jerry Johnson (USA). Despite utilizing his Competition Time Out, the team was unable to repair the steering rack, forcing him to retire
- In the 2025 Rookie of the Year title chase, Jerry Johnson (USA) reached the Top 8 where he was defeated by Buchanan. Jerry placed fifth on the night, keeping him sixth overall ahead of Rookie Collete Davis in sixth
- All teams in the Link ECU PROSPEC Championship must use Link engine management and GT Radial tires
FD PROSPEC ROUND 3 TOP 16 DRIVER POSITONS*
| POSITION | DRIVER | POINTS |
| 1 | Nate Chen | 50 |
| 2 | Cole Richards | 40 |
| 3 | Dmitriy Brutskiy | 30 |
| 4 | Cody Buchanan | 30 |
| 5 | Jerry Johnson | 20 |
| 6 | Alex Jagger | 20 |
| 7 | Collete Davis | 20 |
| 8 | Brian Wills | 20 + 3 |
| 9 | Cory Talaska | 10 |
| 10 | Trevor Root | 10 |
| 11 | Hooman Rahimi | 10 |
| 12 | Adam Knapik | 10 |
| 13 | Kelsey Rowlings | 10 |
| 14 | Luis Lanz | 10 |
| 15 | Ryan Kaufman | 10 + 12 |
| 16 | Chellee Hansen | 10 + 6 |
FD PROSPEC TOP 16 DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS*
| POSITION | DRIVER | POINTS |
| 1 | Nate Chen | 100 |
| 2 | Cole Richards | 100 |
| 3 | Dmitriy Brutskiy | 100 |
| 4 | Cody Buchanan | 80 |
| 5 | Cory Talaska | 70 |
| 6 | Jerry Johnson | 65 |
| 7 | Collete Davis | 52 |
| 8 | Alex Jagger | 40 |
| 9 | Trevor Root | 40 |
| 10 | Josh Stuart | 40 |
| 11 | Collin Zielinski | 33 |
| 12 | Hooman Rahimi | 30 |
| 13 | Adam Knapik | 30 |
| 14 | Chellee Hansen | 25 |
| 15 | Camren Sorensen | 25 |
| 16 | Brian Wills | 23 |
* Preliminary standings. Final results pending official confirmation