Ryan Tuerck leads, Fredric Aasbo third heading into key Dallas weekend

DALLAS, Texas (October 29, 2020) – The Papadakis Racing Toyota team will be fighting for podiums at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend as the Formula Drift series heads to Toyota’s backyard for a critical doubleheader.

“I’m excited to be returning to compete in the hometown of Toyota’s North American headquarters,” said Fredric Aasbo, who pilots the team’s all new Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota GR Supra. “The crowd here is always really welcoming and it’s great to see so many familiar faces in the stands.”

Texas Motor Speedway is located just 30 miles from Toyota North America in Plano.

Team drivers Ryan Tuerck and Aasbo are first and third in the points and in a close fight for the title. Only 44 points separate the Top 5 drivers in the standings, with Toyota chasing points leader Ford for the Auto Cup and team partner Nitto Tire out front in the Tire Cup. There has been a Papadakis Racing Toyota on the podium at every stop this year.

Tuerck has shown consistent performance in his first season with Papadakis Racing, driving the new Gumout / Nitto Tire / Mobil 1 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. He has earned three podiums in four rounds and is leading the championship points heading into the Dallas stop. He is hoping to capitalize on his momentum this weekend with his first win of the year.

Aasbo came out of the gate hard in 2020 with an opening-round victory in his all-new Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota GR Supra. Already the most winning driver in series history, Aasbo’s latest victory pushes his career wins total to 14.

Watch a Papadakis Racing recap to see the technical side of the first victory for the Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota GR Supra here: https://youtu.be/zyRYmPE8M8o

Formula Drift competition is streamed live online across the series’ social media channels and this season has seen record Livestream tune-in and social engagement. Stream and content views for Rounds 3 and 4 achieved 3.7 million views on YouTube alone, and Formula Drift’s social media engagement has led all other major racing series in the USA.

Aasbo joined Papadakis Racing in 2011 and earned the series crown in 2015. He started his Formula Drift career in 2010 as a privateer in a Mark IV Supra and comes full circle this season as he takes his first victory in his all new Toyota GR Supra. He finished fourth in Texas last year when an opponent crashed him into the trackside barrier and badly damaged his car.

Tuerck is a leading social influencer and top-tier driver with a career 17 podiums. His down-home charm, commitment to the sport’s grassroots, and talent in front of the camera have brought him a social fanbase of over a million followers. Earlier this year, he retired his previous chassis, a powerful Toyota 86.

The Papadakis Racing team began drifting in 2004 and is the most winning team in Formula Drift history, earning the 2015 title with driver Aasbo, as well as back-­to-back championship titles with driver Tanner Foust in 2007 and 2008.

Ryan Tuerck leads the points in the Gumout / Nitto Tire / Mobil 1 Toyota Corolla Hatchback; Fredric Aasbo is currently third in the Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota GR Supra. 

(Photo: Toyota Racing)