“The other side of this is content. A number of the other series want to block content and not let the drivers build themselves and their partners. Formula D has been forward thinking and realizing how important content is for these drivers and teams. In the end, all of this only helps Formula D grow. I think that is another massive reason why we are seeing the success that we’re seeing.”

A consistent player in the 2022 Formula drift season, DeNofa hovered in and out of the top five all season long, a win coming at Evergreen Speedway in Washington. After the season had wrapped at Irwindale, DeNofa found himself fourth in final points. All things considered, team owner Gittin was good with it.

“I think we had a pretty solid year,” said Gittin. “Chelsea was gunning for a championship and a few “that’s racing” mistakes happened and we are here at the final round and he wound up in fourth place overall. Our new driver, Adam LZ, he had a season that was full of learning and we knew that was going to be the case. The results that he and the team worked for were not there, but that’s all reflective of just how tough this sport is.”

So with the curtain coming down on Irwindale Speedway, the 2022 Formula Drift season done and dusted, what’s next for Gittin?

“This break I’ve taken from drifting was not forever,” he said. “This wasn’t a goodbye, it was a see you later. I still very much have that mindset. In general, it has been cool to be a team owner here and to be experiencing all of this. I went to three of the eight events this year and so I was engaged on livestream and watching everything and just being fun. It was the first time in my life that I was ever able to do that and it was cool.”

What about the possibility of Gittin climbing back into his Ford Mustang and competing again?

“Yeah, it is definitely in my plan to come back,” he said. “I’m not exactly sure when that will be, but I will definitely be coming back to Formula Drift.”