RTR Drift Champ Comes Out on Top at Formula Drift Texas
Chelsea DeNofa takes out points leader James Deane, taking first place for Team RTR at Formula Drift Round 8 in Dallas.
At long last, Chelsea DeNofa has come in first place in his purple RTR Mustang. It is his first time coming in first since Long Beach in 2016. Not only that, but it is his first win in the Mustang, since joining Team RTR for the 2017 season. With this win, he now sits within the top ten for the 2019 Season at position seven. He’s had some rough finishes this year, so this win has got to be uplifting.
DeNofa has been drifting professionally in Formula Drift since 2014 when he was still piloting a BMW. He initially earned his pro license in Texas, so that makes his win in the same state extra sweet.
“What an amazing weekend in Texas! I got my PRO license in Texas so to be able to get my first win for RTR there too makes it extra special,” said DeNofa on his facebook page.
DeNofa is known for his flashy driving style. He treats every run like it’s a run to win the whole event. Even watching him run practice is exhilarating because he is a very fast driver and isn’t afraid to throw massive angle into the corners.
He climbed quite a ladder to get to the top, as well. His Top 16 win against iconic FD driver Ken Gushi led him to a Great eight battle against Odi Bakchis. Bakchis has been having a great year, and currently sits in the number four spot overall. The battle was well fought, but with DeNofa’s win he went on to battle Fredric Aasbo, who is number two overall for the season. In his final battle vs. points leader James Deane, it was ultimately his signature ‘gangster angle’ that pushed the scales his way for the win. Deane took a bit of a shallow line in during his follow run of their one more time battle. Which ultimately decided our winner.
Your final chance to see DeNofa and Team RTR leader Vaughn Gittin Jr. lands at Irwindale Speedway for the final round of Formula Drift October 18th and 19th. If you have yet to hear these Mustangs in person, it is definitely worth the trip.