Nicholas Abbott's Rookie Season Stuns the Field in East10 Drift Series

Four rounds. Four podiums. One unforgettable rookie season.

Michigan Motorsports sponsored driver Nicholas Abbott just wrapped up the 2025 East10 Drift Pro-Am Series with an incredible 2nd-place finish overall, falling just two points short of a Formula Drift license. It was his first-ever Pro-Am competition—and yet he managed to stand on the podium at every single round.

|“Coming into this series, I felt like the underdog,” Abbott shared. “I just wanted one podium. To finish second overall with four podiums... that’s something I’ll never forget.”|

Round 3: Calm, Confident, Competitive

With clear skies and a dry track, Nicholas came into Round 3 with momentum. After a strong showing in practice, he advanced through each battle with calculated precision. A solid lead run and aggressive chase efforts got the job done, even with rising competition. One small mistake in the semifinals cost him a shot at the win, but bracket seeding placed him in 3rd for the event, adding another trophy to the shelf.

Round 4: From Rain to Redemption

Rain rolled in just in time for practice—conditions Nicholas is no stranger to. He got dialed in quickly, but as competition began, the weather shifted, drying the track and throwing off the rhythm for most of the field.

Still, Nicholas adapted.

His early runs were clean and controlled, but the quarterfinals became intense with both drivers pushing hard. After a close call and a One More Time battle, he advanced again—even after a collision that bent his suspension setup. He didn’t let it stop him. He powered through the semifinals and made it to the finals for the second time this season.

That’s when the pressure set in.

A few nerves in the lead run—along with minor contact that shattered his rear bodywork—held him back. The chase run was more composed, but not enough to lock in first place. Still, 2nd place in Round 4 was a big result in unpredictable conditions.

Consistency Over Everything

Nicholas’s performance across the season was defined by consistency and control. He didn’t just show up—he delivered every single round, ending with:

• Round 1: 3rd Place

• Round 2: 2nd Place

• Round 3: 3rd Place

• Round 4: 2nd Place

This earned him 2nd place overall in the championship, coming up just two points short of a Formula Drift license.

|“It stings to be that close, but honestly, it just motivates me more. I know I belong out there.” -Nicholas|

Dialed In from Start to Finish

One of the keys to Nicholas’s consistent performance this season was a dialed-in setup that held strong through changing track conditions, tight tandems, and multiple rounds of high-stakes competition. His LS-powered drift car, equipped with a Michigan Motorsports Drift Camshaft Kit, provided the power and responsiveness he needed to stay competitive from lead to chase.

Next Up: Hyperfest and a Look Toward the Future

With the 2025 East10 Drift season wrapped, Nicholas is headed to Hyperfest to unwind and reconnect with the drifting community. It’s a weekend of fun laps, fan engagement, and the kind of grassroots energy that started this whole journey.

At Michigan Motorsports, we’re proud to support drivers like Nicholas—passionate, consistent, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence. His rookie season in Pro-Am competition was nothing short of inspiring, and the best part? He’s just getting started.