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Team Falken’s Matt Field Takes Points Lead In Formula Drift Championship After Round 4 Halfway Point

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – As the Formula Drift season reaches midway, Team Falken’s Matt Field has assumed the top rung in the points championship on the strength of his fourth place finish following Round 4 at “The Gauntlet,” held at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park this past weekend. In addition, Falken Tires is at the top of the leader board in the Tire Cup Championship for 2022.

The fourth sold-out event of the season saw 36 drivers attempt to qualify for 32 positions. Nevertheless, Team Falken did well in qualifying with Dylan Hughes, fresh off his win in Round 3 at Orlando, in 3rd; Justin Pawlak, 6th; Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, 9th; and Field in 18th. All drivers advanced to the Top 16 but only Field moved to the Top 4 where he finished 4th.

“The fact that this weekend’s top two spots were claimed by independent drivers who had never been to the Formula D Pro podium before speaks volumes about how every team has advanced by mid-season,” exclaimed Gerald Alvarado, Falken’s Supervisor, Passenger Car Motorsports and Events. “But, as always, it’s about points. How many you acquire at each event; how many you walk away with at the end of the year. Right now, with Matt, we’re sitting on top, and that’s where we intend to stay.”

“Despite qualifying 18th, my car performed well during the runs and was hooked to the pavement with our Falken Azenis tires,” added Field. “Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is an amazing track; it’s a purpose-built drift arena, the first of its kind in the U.S., and the figure-8 layout is amazing. It made for a lot of fast corners and close action. We suffered some damage as a result, but continued. And everyone benefitted from the great crowds cheering us on the whole weekend.”

“It feels great to be on top of the points standings,” Field continued. “Now, it’s my job – with the support of Falken – to stay there. The competition is tough; we have to dig in and get even better in the final four rounds. I’m confident we can do so.” “We’re on the right path,” added Falken’s Alvarado. “Coming off a victory in Orlando, our team showed strength in qualifying and earned hard fought wins throughout the later rounds of battle. Halfway through the season at Englishtown, the Teal and Blue has raced to the top of the Championship and we were proud that nearly 50 Falken dealers were there to support us. I know Matt and the rest of Team Falken are strong and we’ll continue to turn it up another notch or two as we look beyond the midpoint of the season. It’s all about that trophy.”

Current points standings for Team Falken drivers: Field, 1st; Hughes, 6th; Bakchis, 8th; Pawlak, 12th.

Round 5 takes place at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside St. Louis with the “Crossroads” event on July 14-16. Team Falken will have a full complement of drivers, tires and support personnel there as the second half of the Formula Drift season begins in earnest.