Drift Indy GP Cruises Into The Motor City
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Drift Indy’s annual field trip brought Round 2 of its Grand Prix competition to M1 Concourse, a sprawling motorsport facility in Pontiac, MI just outside of Detroit. A neutral battleground for the series, the competition took place on the skidpad at the center of the 1.5-mile road course.
Surrounded by private garages housing millions of dollars in cars, it felt like a far cry from drifting’s grassroots vibe…but for two days, this incredible playground was ours. With only competition day on my calendar, I missed the rhythm of a full day’s practice, but even in that short window, the story of this round was clear: this season is still about proving who belongs.
Some drivers are here just for good times with the boys, while others quietly prepare for war in the pits. That variety keeps things unpredictable, and Round 2 showed just how quickly momentum can swing. One driver, recently promoted from Street League, came in ready to go rounds and got knocked out in their first battle. No knock on them though…if anything, it speaks to the strength of the grid and the battles these drivers have already survived to get here.
With over 20 hand-picked drivers competing for just 16 spots, making the show is an accomplishment in itself. Prelims aren’t just about putting down your best laps, they’re about survival as drivers thrash their cars to claw their way into the Top 16.
Round 1 winner Kyle Antonovich assembled an S14 in just 12 days to make this competition after suffering the tragic loss of his previous S13 in a recent fire. Leaving it all out on the track, he only managed one run before the little SR20 gave up the fight. Roy Outcalt pushed just as hard in his turbo E46 making contact with the wall in his first run, but managed to muscle the mangled machine to P11 on his second.
As prelims wrapped and the bracket took shape, the diversity of platforms became impossible to ignore. On one side, Chad Anderson’s supercharged Coyote-swapped E46 faced off against Josh Estey’s EcoBoost-swapped S13, while Britt Kaukeinen’s relatively simple C5 Corvette squared up against Jake Clark’s fully built LS “Pro Car.”
On the other side, Adam Day’s big-body fifth-gen Camaro went up against a swarm of Miatas, and Joey Ritter’s nearly-stock 350Z claimed a podium spot, taking out Justin Medina’s newly acquired ex-Pro Spec car along the way.
These matchups highlight what makes the series so fun to watch: the variety of cars and drivers colliding in head-to-head battles. Lighter, more nimble platforms relied on precision, while heavier, torque-rich cars muscled their way through the course. Some drivers are here to jam, and others are out for blood. No single recipe guarantees success—the only constant is commitment.
In the end, it was Roy Outcalt in his turbo E46 who took his first GP win after years of standout performances in Street League. Adam Day claimed second in his wildly unconventional Camaro, proof of the months of seat time it took to get dialed. Drift Indy’s local alignment guru Joey Ritter rounded out the podium in a stripped-down 350Z, surely with his own secret sauce in the suspension after plenty of time working on other’s setups.
With a brand-new set of podium finishers at Round 2, each showed they have the commitment it takes to rise in this series. Despite nearly half the grid hailing from Michigan, the podium was swept by drivers from Ohio. A statement win that not only reshaped the points standings, but also pokes at an on-going regional rivalry that adds extra grit to every battle. If Round 1 was about introducing the heavy hitters, Round 2 showed how quickly the balance of power can shift.
What hasn’t shifted though, is the spirit of the paddock. Friendly rivalries may exist, but competitors still gathered to watch their friends battle from the grid. At the podium ceremony, it wasn’t just the winners who felt the moment, it was every driver still hanging around to celebrate. The high-fives, hugs, and shouts from across the lot serve as reminders that beneath the competition, most folks here are still stoked to see their homies succeed.
The stage is set for the final showdown, and it’s anyone’s game. Round 3 lands under the lights at No Star Bash, Drift Indy’s biggest party of the year. Three full days of tire smoke, style, and seat time, with DIGP closing out Saturday night. If the first two rounds are any indication, the finale won’t just crown a winner…it’ll be a battle for bragging rights that no one will want to miss.
For more images from DIGP Round 2, check out the Gallery.
