Kenda Tires Finishes 2025 Formula DRIFT Season Second in Tire Cup — Three Drivers Land in Top 10
Fredric Aasbø earns 3rd overall; Jhonnattan Castro and Ryan Tuerck secure Top 10 finishes as Kenda solidifies its position among the elite tire brands in professional drifting.
Reynoldsburg, OH (October 2025) Kenda Tires capped an exceptional 2025 Formula DRIFT season finishing second overall in the Tire Cup standings with 429 points, outpacing several strong brands. The result reinforces Kenda’s growing influence in professional drifting and highlights its unwavering commitment to performance, innovation, and consistency under the most demanding motorsport conditions.
Across eight grueling rounds of competition, Kenda-backed drivers repeatedly showcased podium-worthy performance, proving that Kenda’s Podium2Pavement™ philosophy translates from the racetrack directly to the street.
2025 Season Highlights
• Fredric Aasbø (#151) — Finished 3rd overall in the PRO Championship. The three-time series champion delivered another outstanding campaign with multiple podium finishes--including first place at Long Beach in the season opener--demonstrating precision and adaptability on Kenda VEZDA UHP MAX+ tires.
• Jhonnattan Castro (#17) — Earned 7th overall, marking his strongest season yet. Castro’s aggressive yet controlled driving style contributed crucial Tire Cup points that helped secure Kenda’s second-place finish.
• Ryan Tuerck (#411) — Closed the season 10th overall, displaying technical mastery and consistency that underscored Kenda’s collective team performance.
Proven Performance, On and Off the Track
Behind every run, transition, and smoky slide lies the Kenda VEZDA UHP MAX+, the same ultra high-performance tire trusted by professionals and enthusiasts alike. Engineered to withstand extreme lateral loads, heat cycles, and variable track surfaces, the VEZDA UHP MAX+ embodies Kenda’s data-driven approach to tire development.
“Finishing second among all tire manufacturers in Formula DRIFT validates the strength of our product and our people,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive, Kenda USA. “Our teams, engineers, and drivers have worked tirelessly to refine performance under the toughest motorsport conditions. Kenda, uniquely provided (6) six different sizes for our Formula Drift teams that allowed them to adapt the tire to the car’s performance which was outstanding in both wet and dry conditions. The results show that Kenda can compete head-to-head with the biggest brands in the world — and deliver proven results on and off the track.”
Podium2Pavement™: Racing That Drives Innovation
Kenda’s Podium2Pavement™ philosophy is more than a tagline — it’s a development mindset. Every lesson learned through competition directly influences the evolution of Kenda’s ultra high-performance and passenger tire lines, ensuring that motorsport innovation drives real-world performance.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Formula DRIFT season, Kenda will continue advancing tire technology, expanding driver partnerships, and pursuing the Tire Cup championship with the same relentless drive that defined this season’s success.
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About Kenda Tire
Founded in 1962, Kenda Tire is a global leader in tire and wheel manufacturing across multiple industries, including automotive, light truck, bicycle, motorcycle, ATV, RV, industrial, and golf. With over 12,000 employees worldwide, Kenda is committed to quality, innovation, and customer-driven performance.
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