Branden Sorensen Took Top Qualifying Spot at Formula DRIFT
The driver secured the lead position with 91.4 points as racing action moves to the Top 32 competition this weekend.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Motorsports
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Should professional drifting rely more on automated data technology than human judges for scoring?
Branden Sorensen claimed the top qualifying spot at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Formula DRIFT drivers gathered for the weekend competition. Brian Wills also emerged from the event as the winner of the PROSPEC Seeding Bracket.
Why it matters
The performance of these drivers sets the stage for the 2026 Link ECU PROSPEC Championship, which will be decided during the upcoming Top 32 competition heats. Local fans can track how these qualifying results influence the broader season standings as the event progresses.
Qualifying scores are weighted with 80% determined by UDSM technology and 20% by a panel of three judges. The top score reached 91.4 points while four drivers were eliminated during the seeding bracket.
The players
Branden Sorensen
The driver who secured the first position in the Formula DRIFT qualifying session.
Brian Wills
The winner of the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC Seeding Bracket.
Cody Buchanan
The leading rookie who finished the qualifying session in 14th place.
The details
The event at The Bullring relies on a hybrid scoring system where UDSM technology measures line and angle for the majority of a driver's score. Following the qualifying rounds, the focus shifts to the Top 32 competition heats. Cody Buchanan stood out among the field as the leading rookie, finishing in 14th place with a score of 84.26.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Qualifying results were announced.
September 26-27, 2026: The Formula DRIFT event takes place at the speedway.
Beyond the Strip
This competition builds on a long history of drifting at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It follows a legacy established during 2008-2012 when the series utilized a temporary track setup at the same facility.
Traffic and activity around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be elevated through September 27. Fans attending the Top 32 heats should account for potential delays on the I-15 corridor leading to the track.
The takeaway
The qualifying scores establish the starting order for the intense bracket competition this weekend. Watch for the performance of the Top 32 as they compete to secure the 2026 Link ECU PROSPEC Championship title.
Further reading
For more on the racing scene, visit Motorsports.
Live Poll
Should professional drifting rely more on automated data technology than human judges for scoring?
