Branden Sorensen Secured Top Qualifying Spot in Las Vegas
The driver led the field at the Formula DRIFT event held at The Bullring.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Motorsports
Live Poll
Should professional drifting rely more on automated data technology than human judges for scoring?
Branden Sorensen earned the first qualifying position with a score of 91.4 points at the Formula DRIFT competition in Las Vegas. Brian Wills also secured a win in the PROSPEC Seeding Bracket during the event at The Bullring.
Why it matters
Qualifying results determine the seeding for the Top 32 competition heats, which will ultimately decide the 2026 Link ECU PROSPEC Championship. Precise scoring remains vital as drivers compete for the series title.
Branden Sorensen took the lead with 91.4 points, edging out Conor Shanahan who scored 91.03. Qualifying scores are calculated using 80% UDSM technology data and 20% assessment from three judges.
The players
Branden Sorensen
He is a professional drift driver who secured the top qualifying position at the Las Vegas event.
Brian Wills
He is a driver who successfully won the PROSPEC Seeding Bracket at the competition.
Formula DRIFT
This is a professional drifting championship series that organizes competitive events across the United States.
The details
Drivers Chris Forsberg and James Deane also performed well, scoring 89.13 and 86.66 points respectively, while Cody Buchanan led the rookie class in 14th place. The competition took place at The Bullring, a facility that previously hosted Formula DRIFT on a temporary track between 2008 and 2012.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Qualifying results were officially released.
September 26-27, 2026: The Formula DRIFT event weekend takes place at the speedway.
Roadmap
This qualifying event is a critical stop in the 2026 Link ECU PROSPEC Championship as drivers position themselves for the season-ending title. The results directly influence the bracket path for the Top 32 heats, shaping the competitive landscape for the remainder of the series.
Branden Sorensen enters the upcoming Top 32 heats with the top seed advantage, directly impacting his bracket path and matchups. Rookie Cody Buchanan will start in the 14th position, serving as a key benchmark for newcomer performance in the field.
The takeaway
The consistency of high-scoring performances demonstrates the rigorous nature of modern drift qualifying standards. Fans should monitor the Top 32 bracket as these qualifying scores translate into head-to-head eliminations.
Further reading
Find more updates on the season standings in the Motorsports section.
Live Poll
Should professional drifting rely more on automated data technology than human judges for scoring?
