Gambler Series Kicks Off at Old Bridge Township Park in Englishtown, NJ
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Gambler Round 1
On April 19th, Old Bridge Township Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, hosted the highly anticipated first round of their Gambler series. This event marked the beginning of what promises to be an exciting four-round competition featuring some of the most skilled drivers from across the region—and beyond.
The Gambler series has gained a strong following in recent years, attracting talented grassroots drifters, as well as more seasoned competitors from larger series like Formula DRIFT. The first and fourth rounds of the Gambler series are uniquely held at the site of the old Raceway Park drag strip, which has been repurposed into a unique drifting colosseum. The once-legendary drag strip, which saw decades of quarter-mile racing history, now serves as an elaborate figure 8 design where tire smoke and sideways battles take center stage. Meanwhile, the second and third rounds of the series shift to the Raceway Park road course, a technical layout that is also home to the famed Club Loose drift events. This variety of venues challenges drivers to adapt their style and strategies across different track types, ultimately identifying the most well-rounded and consistent drifters.
Image courtesy of Wrecked Contributor, Eric Goodrich
New Rules, Same Slides
In previous seasons, the Gambler series featured multiple competition classes, including an unlimited tire class where almost anything went, as well as a 235mm class limiting tires to a 235mm maximum tire width to level the playing field. For 2025, the organizers decided to focus solely on the 235mm tire class. This shift was made to keep the competition more balanced and accessible, reducing the arms race of larger budgets dominating the field. By limiting tire width, the competition becomes less about raw horsepower and more about driver skill, chassis setup, and strategy—a move that has been widely applauded by participants and fans alike.
Despite the more grassroots-oriented ruleset, the series opener drew some heavy hitters from the professional ranks, particularly from Formula DRIFT's ProSpec division. Among the notable entrants were Nate Chen, Adam Heishman, Trevor Root, Allen Boss, and even full-fledged Formula DRIFT Pro driver Dmitriy Brutskiy. Their participation brought a new level of excitement and intensity to the event, and the local drivers relished the opportunity to measure themselves against top-tier talent.
Image courtesy of Wrecked Contributor, Eric Goodrich
Competition
The competition format stuck to a familiar structure, beginning with single-car qualifying runs to determine seeding for the main bracket. Drivers were judged based on factors such as line, angle, speed, and overall style. It was Dmitriy Brutskiy who set the bar highest during qualifying, laying down a near-flawless run that scored an impressive 90.6—earning him the top qualifying spot and a favorable bracket placement going into the battles.
As the main event unfolded, spectators were treated to a series of thrilling, closely contested tandems. Drivers pushed the limits of their cars and their skills, with aggressive chase runs and high-risk initiations drawing cheers from the crowd. The field slowly whittled down through intense matchups until the Final Four was decided: Nate Chen versus Dmitriy Brutskiy on one side, and Trevor Root taking on Adam Heishman on the other.
In his battle against Brutskiy, Nate Chen put up a strong fight. Known for his smooth style and sharp car control, Chen managed to keep the pressure on during his chase run, but ultimately couldn't unseat the top qualifier. Brutskiy's consistency, angle, and proximity were simply too much to overcome. On the other side of the bracket, Trevor Root faced off against Adam Heishman. Root, known for his aggressive driving and fearless entries, managed to outpace Heishman to secure his spot in the final.
This set up an exciting final showdown between Dmitriy Brutskiy and Trevor Root, while Nate Chen and Adam Heishman would battle for the final podium position. In the third-place match, Chen found his rhythm and delivered two solid runs to beat Heishman, securing a spot on the podium with a well-earned third place finish. Meanwhile, the final battle saw Brutskiy once again demonstrating why he is considered one of the best in the field. With precise lead runs and smothering chase driving, Brutskiy took the win, completing a perfect event from qualifying through to the final.
Image courtesy of Wrecked Contributor, Eric Goodrich
Winner
At the end of the day, Dmitriy Brutskiy stood atop the podium with a well-deserved first-place trophy, having dominated the event from start to finish. Trevor Root's impressive run earned him a strong second place, while Nate Chen rounded out the top three with a hard-fought third place finish.
The first round of the Gambler series set a high bar for the rest of the season. With talented drivers, a level playing field, and exciting tracks, the rest of the championship promises to be a battle to the very last round. Fans and competitors alike are eagerly looking forward to Round Two, which is scheduled for June 7th. The series will move to the Raceway Park road course for the second round—a more technical layout that demands precision and strategy over sheer speed.
If Round One was any indication, Round Two is sure to deliver even more intense battles, close calls, and dramatic moments. Whether you're a longtime drift fan or new to the sport, the Gambler series is quickly becoming one of the premier grassroots drifting competitions to watch in the Northeast.
For more content from this event, check out our gallery here: https://wreckedmagazine.com/pages/photo#gambler-round-1
