The largest and most well attended Lucas Oil Drift Challenge took place over the weekend at Holley LS Fest West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Out of 33 registrations, 30 drivers attended the third annual event. 2019 marked the largest year yet, with over 1,000 vehicles on site participating in various event segments, from drifting and drag racing, to show-n-shine and autocross!

After an awesome top 16 and great 8 battle, Lake Stevens, WA based Brandon Schmidt ended up edging out Texas native Nate Hamilton for the top podium spot. Both drivers were first time LS Fest West competitors piloting GM LS-swapped Nissan 240SX S13 chassis and running Holley EFI standalone engine management. Third place went to LS Fest West veteran Ian McDougall from Denver, Colorado and his S14 Nissan 240SX.

Schmidt took home $1,500 and a new set of Fortune Auto coilovers for his driving efforts while Hamilton secured a check for $750. McDougall took home a check for $375. Each driver also went home with a Grip Royal steering wheel engraved their podium position.

While the main competition took place Saturday night, the fun wasn't over yet. Sunday morning kicked off another day of tire shredding action on a new drift course setup. Jarod DeAnda, the "Voice of Drift", kicked off the "Sunday Funday Expression Session" for a crowd of new-to-drifting spectators, who watched drivers from Saturday night's competition as well as those who didn't qualify for the main event shred for several hours to see who could best one another in style with each successive run. Tandem trains, reverse entries, and more sent fans home with smiles on their faces and guaranteed they'll be coming back out to LS Fest West for 2020!

Prizes were awarded for the following achievements during Sunday's drift session:

Best Random "Team" Tandem:

• Ian McDougall | $200
• Rudy Hansen | $200
• Jonathan Shaffer | $200
• Zandara Kennedy | $200
• Aaron Sly | $200

Big Flick Energy 

• Nick Gross | Nissan S13 | $250

Shoulda Coulda Woulda (for coming back for a sick Sunday showing after battling mechanical failure on both Friday & Saturday)

• Zandara Kennedy | Nissan 350Z | $250

While everyone couldn't take home an award for making it out to the drift challenge, the title sponsor of the event segment made sure that they didn't go home empty handed. Lucas Oil Motorsports Manager Tom Bogner had several "ammo boxes" put together, filled with various Lucas Oil products that each of the drivers would find handy in their racing endeavors.

To see how the Top 16 competition progressed, scroll down.