The luck of the Irish prevailed in the opening round of the 2026 Formula Drift Championship. Conor Shanahan clinched top honors to continue the Emerald Isle’s dominance in the sport. This weekend, the drifters set up in Atlanta for the Road to the Championship, with James Deane topping the pre-event odds. The Irishman suffered a surprise early exit on the Streets of Long Beach and is desperate to get his title defence back on track. Dive into the best bets ahead of round two action in our event preview below.
Looking to elevate the thrill of the Formula Drift Road to Atlanta? Place your bets with ease and confidence using our partner sportsbooks.
Formula Drift betting hasn't launched in Ohio yet.
Schedule and How to Watch Formula Drift Road Atlanta
Drifters move to the East Coast this weekend for round two of the 2026 Formula Drift series. Drivers buckle up to contest the Road to the Championship at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta circuit, from Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9. The Pro bracket set off for qualifying on Thursday evening and will only return to the track on Saturday, 4:30 pm ET, for the Top 32 showdown. Track the drifters as they battle it out in Georgia, live on Formula Dacross the three days.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change? Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Best Bets and Odds for Formula Drift Atlanta
Event Winner Odds
The legend that is James Deane fell short on the West Coast, slipping to a Top 16 exit against Diego Higa. Despite the result, punters still believe the Irishman is the one to beat in Atlanta, possibly boosted by his status as defending champion at this venue. His compatriot Conor Shanahan is worth a look after his brilliance in the season opener. He clinched top honors in Long Beach, beating the experienced hand of Fredric Aasbo in the Final Battle.
The Norwegian closed out his visit last year in second place, falling short against Deane. Jack Shanahan, the older brother of Conor, delivered a strong first-round run, driving away in third. He now boasts a win and a Final 4 appearance in his last two FD events. Further down the odds sheet, Cole Richards presents an interesting opportunity at +4617. He drifted his way into the Final 4 in Long Beach, exiting against the youngest Shanahan.
swipe to see more
Driver
Winner Odds
$20 Payout
James Deane
+225
$65.00
Fredric Aasbo
+740
$168.00
Aurimas Bakchis
+789
$177.80
Conor Shanahan
+973
$214.60
Matt Field
+1226
$265.20
Ryan Tuerck
+1244
$268.80
Jack Shanahan
+1262
$272.40
Adam LZ
+2168
$453.60
Branden Sorensen
+2209
$461.80
Simen Olsen
+2406
$501.20
Chris Forsberg
+2458
$511.60
Ken Gushi
+2725
$565.00
Diego Higa
+2850
$590.00
Jhonnattan Castro
+2958
$611.60
Wataru Masuyama
+3075
$635.00
Dylan Hughes
+3085
$637.00
Rome Charpentier
+3200
$660.00
Jeff Jones
+3900
$800.00
Cole Richards
+4617
$943.40
Vaughn Gittin
+5028
$1,025.60
Connor O`Sullivan
+5614
$1,142.80
Derek Madison
+7837
$1,587.40
Nate Chen
+7837
$1,587.40
Trenton Beechum
+7900
$1,600.00
Dan Stuke
+7900
$1,600.00
Ben Hobson
+7900
$1,600.00
Tommy Lemaire
+7900
$1,600.00
Ryan Litteral
+7900
$1,600.00
Dan Burkett
+7900
$1,600.00
Andy Hateley
+7900
$1,600.00
Rudy Hansen
+7900
$1,600.00
Federico Sceriffo
+7900
$1,600.00
Cody Buchanan
+7900
$1,600.00
Expert Pick
James Deane let us down in the first round. He looked tough to beat heading into Long Beach, but the result has prompted us to change tactics this weekend. We’ve locked our focus onto the oldest Shanahan brother. Jack lines up at +1262 for the win, potentially paying out $272.40 on a $20.00 wager.
H2H Odds
Fredric Aasbo takes on James Deane in our pick of the matchups in Atlanta. Aasbo stands out at +165, despite progressing further than Deane in the first round. Aasbo reached the final, which is three rounds more than the reigning series champion managed. Sticking with value for money, Conor Shanahan arrives as the underdog against Aurimas Bakchis, even though he won in Long Beach. Bakchis, on the other hand, reached the Great 8 before Jack Shanahan showed him the door.
swipe to see more
Matchup
Moneyline
Payout on $20
Fredric Aasbo
+165
$53.00
James Deane
-225
$28.89
Aurimas Bakchis
-128
$35.63
Conor Shanahan
-103
$39.42
Matt Field
-116
$37.24
Ryan Tuerck
-114
$37.54
Where to Bet on Formula Drift Road to the Championship
Looking to throw down some action on Formula Drift Atlanta? Place your bets with ease and confidence using our partner sportsbooks. For detailed insights, strategies, and tips to maximize your betting experience, make sure to check out the official NXTbets Formula Drift Betting Guide. With real-time odds and expert insights at your fingertips, making informed bets on the action-packed event has never been simpler.
Formula Drift betting hasn't launched in Ohio yet.
Engines are roaring, and drivers are pulling into Southern California to initiate the 2026 Formula Drift season. The first of eight rounds hits the streets of Long Beach this weekend as competitors look to grab the upper hand early on in the season. Drifting royalty, James Deane, arrives fresh off his fifth Championship title, and …
In a thrilling spectacle at the third round of the 2023 Formula Drift Pro Championship in Orlando, Chelsea DeNofa emerged victorious. Despite a tumultuous journey, DeNofa’s Mustang powered through, moving him from 10th to 2nd in the Championship standings. Meanwhile, Norway’s Fredric Aasbo took second, showcasing a masterclass in consistency, bolstering his lead in the …
With the final round of the 2025 Formula Drift season to come, James Deane has already retained his Pro Standings Championship. The Irishman lines up on the Streets of Southern California this weekend with the pressure off, but he’s still the driver to beat in the Long Beach 2 pre-event odds. Fredric Aasbo assumes his …
As the 2023 Formula Drift season drew to a breathtaking close, the world of motorsports witnessed Chelsea DeNofa clinching his first, and possibly last, Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. DeNofa’s triumph, culminating in a climactic finale at Irwindale Speedway, marked the culmination of a season filled with high-speed thrills and unpredictable turns. His dominant performance throughout …
Best Bets: 2026 Formula Drift Road Atlanta Pre-Event Odds Analysis
The luck of the Irish prevailed in the opening round of the 2026 Formula Drift Championship. Conor Shanahan clinched top honors to continue the Emerald Isle’s dominance in the sport. This weekend, the drifters set up in Atlanta for the Road to the Championship, with James Deane topping the pre-event odds. The Irishman suffered a surprise early exit on the Streets of Long Beach and is desperate to get his title defence back on track. Dive into the best bets ahead of round two action in our event preview below.
Looking to elevate the thrill of the Formula Drift Road to Atlanta? Place your bets with ease and confidence using our partner sportsbooks.
Schedule and How to Watch Formula Drift Road Atlanta
Drifters move to the East Coast this weekend for round two of the 2026 Formula Drift series. Drivers buckle up to contest the Road to the Championship at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta circuit, from Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9. The Pro bracket set off for qualifying on Thursday evening and will only return to the track on Saturday, 4:30 pm ET, for the Top 32 showdown. Track the drifters as they battle it out in Georgia, live on Formula D across the three days.
Odds Subject to Change
Please note, the odds provided herein reflect the raw probability odds for this analysis and are based on the information available at the time of publishing. Different sportsbooks may adjust these odds based on market conditions, bettor behaviors, and other factors that could influence the betting landscape. For a deeper understanding of why odds for alternative sports betting change and how it might affect your betting strategy, we encourage you to read our detailed article: Why Do Alternative Sports Betting Odds Change? Make informed decisions and always check the latest odds with your sportsbook before placing bets.
Best Bets and Odds for Formula Drift Atlanta
Event Winner Odds
The legend that is James Deane fell short on the West Coast, slipping to a Top 16 exit against Diego Higa. Despite the result, punters still believe the Irishman is the one to beat in Atlanta, possibly boosted by his status as defending champion at this venue. His compatriot Conor Shanahan is worth a look after his brilliance in the season opener. He clinched top honors in Long Beach, beating the experienced hand of Fredric Aasbo in the Final Battle.
The Norwegian closed out his visit last year in second place, falling short against Deane. Jack Shanahan, the older brother of Conor, delivered a strong first-round run, driving away in third. He now boasts a win and a Final 4 appearance in his last two FD events. Further down the odds sheet, Cole Richards presents an interesting opportunity at +4617. He drifted his way into the Final 4 in Long Beach, exiting against the youngest Shanahan.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick
James Deane let us down in the first round. He looked tough to beat heading into Long Beach, but the result has prompted us to change tactics this weekend. We’ve locked our focus onto the oldest Shanahan brother. Jack lines up at +1262 for the win, potentially paying out $272.40 on a $20.00 wager.
H2H Odds
Fredric Aasbo takes on James Deane in our pick of the matchups in Atlanta. Aasbo stands out at +165, despite progressing further than Deane in the first round. Aasbo reached the final, which is three rounds more than the reigning series champion managed. Sticking with value for money, Conor Shanahan arrives as the underdog against Aurimas Bakchis, even though he won in Long Beach. Bakchis, on the other hand, reached the Great 8 before Jack Shanahan showed him the door.
swipe to see more
Where to Bet on Formula Drift Road to the Championship
Looking to throw down some action on Formula Drift Atlanta? Place your bets with ease and confidence using our partner sportsbooks. For detailed insights, strategies, and tips to maximize your betting experience, make sure to check out the official NXTbets Formula Drift Betting Guide. With real-time odds and expert insights at your fingertips, making informed bets on the action-packed event has never been simpler.
Related Posts
Best Bets: 2026 Formula Drift Long Beach Round 1 Pre-Event Odds Analysis
Engines are roaring, and drivers are pulling into Southern California to initiate the 2026 Formula Drift season. The first of eight rounds hits the streets of Long Beach this weekend as competitors look to grab the upper hand early on in the season. Drifting royalty, James Deane, arrives fresh off his fifth Championship title, and …
Best Bets: Formula Drift New Jersey Pre-Event Odds
In a thrilling spectacle at the third round of the 2023 Formula Drift Pro Championship in Orlando, Chelsea DeNofa emerged victorious. Despite a tumultuous journey, DeNofa’s Mustang powered through, moving him from 10th to 2nd in the Championship standings. Meanwhile, Norway’s Fredric Aasbo took second, showcasing a masterclass in consistency, bolstering his lead in the …
Best Bets: Formula Drift Long Beach Round 8 Shoreline Showdown 2025 Pre-Event Odds Analysis
With the final round of the 2025 Formula Drift season to come, James Deane has already retained his Pro Standings Championship. The Irishman lines up on the Streets of Southern California this weekend with the pressure off, but he’s still the driver to beat in the Long Beach 2 pre-event odds. Fredric Aasbo assumes his …
Best Bets: 2024 Formula Drift Season Championship Futures Odds Analysis
As the 2023 Formula Drift season drew to a breathtaking close, the world of motorsports witnessed Chelsea DeNofa clinching his first, and possibly last, Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. DeNofa’s triumph, culminating in a climactic finale at Irwindale Speedway, marked the culmination of a season filled with high-speed thrills and unpredictable turns. His dominant performance throughout …