Orlando, FL (June 12, 2025) — The 2025 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship continued its high-stakes tour at Round 3: Scorched in Orlando, Florida. After a morning of rain, searing heat set the stage for intense battles at Orlando Speed World, where Kenda Tires’ top-tier drivers delivered another dominant performance. With a third consecutive podium finish and multiple standout runs across the board, Kenda Tires maintained it’s lead in the 2025 Tire Cup standings, affirming the brand’s #Podium2Pavement™ philosophy of transferring race-proven technology to everyday driving.
Jhonnattan Castro Earns Career-First Podium
Kenda driver Jhonnattan Castro captured a career milestone, securing 2nd place overall in the fiercely contested main event. Behind the wheel of his Metaldom Toyota GR86 equipped with Kenda VEZDA UHP MAX+ tires, Castro delivered a series of clean, aggressive runs, improving on his previous best-ever finish (4th at Round 2) and reaching the Final for the first time in his PRO career.
“This is a moment I’ve worked toward for years,” said Castro. “Kenda Tires gave me the grip and consistency I needed to stay aggressive all the way through Top 4. I’m proud to be part of a team that’s proving it can win at the highest level.”
Round 3 Recap – Kenda Driver Highlights
- Fredric Aasbø – Maintained his championship lead with a solid 5th place finish, following up on a win at Long Beach and 2nd place in Atlanta.
- Daniel Stuke – Advanced to the Top 16 in his MspeK Performance Nissan, reinforcing Kenda’s presence deep into the bracket.
- Ken Gushi & Simen Olsen – Both reached the Top 16, demonstrating the VEZDA UHP MAX+ tire’s balance under pressure and high-speed cornering control.
- Derek Madison – Earned his first Top 32 battle win of the season, collecting key points and showcasing progress on Kenda rubber.
- Federico Sceriffo – Reached the seeding bracket final, placing 2nd in his Pennzoil/FuelTech/VP Racing Fuels Ferrari 599 GTB on Kenda tires.
From the PRO support ranks, Austin Matta, Ryan Tuerck, Jonathan Hurst, Ryan Litteral, and Nick Noback all qualified for the Top 32, contributing critical points to Kenda’s Tire Cup campaign.
“Our drivers are pushing hard, and it shows,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, VP of Automotive at Kenda Tires USA. “We’ve taken the lead in the Tire Cup thanks to consistent performance from Castro, Aasbø and the entire Kenda Team. This is why we race — to prove our products under pressure and bring that innovation back to the consumer level.”
Kenda Tires continues to lead the 2025 Tire Cup standings, edging out fierce rivals GT Radial, Nitto, and Kumho. This momentum reflects both the strength of Kenda’s tire technology and its driver roster’s consistency across conditions and track layouts.
Looking Ahead: Formula Drift Round 4 – Englishtown, NJ
Kenda heads to the Northeast for Round 4 with the Tire Cup lead, championship momentum, and proven performance across its roster.
Podium2Pavement™
The VEZDA UHP MAX+ is now available to consumers through Kenda’s dealer network and is designed for enthusiasts who demand track-bred performance in a street-legal package. Whether you're drifting, carving canyon roads, competing in weekend Autocross or just looking for maximum traction and responsiveness, the VEZDA UHP MAX+ delivers where it matters most.
With this championship-caliber start, Kenda Tires sets the tone for the 2025 Formula Drift season—expect more podiums, more highlights, and more innovation from a brand that’s committed to pushing the boundaries of performance.