Best Bets: Formula Drift The Streets of Long Beach Pre-Event Odds Analysis

Schedule and How to Watch  Formula Drift Long Beach

The Streets of Long Beach are ready to shred tires as the planet’s finest drifters converge on the Southern California town to open their accounts in 2025. Cars slide into action on Friday, April 4th at 3:30 PM PDT as racers decide the seeding bracket.

The season-opening event shifts gears on Saturday at 10 AM when the Top 32 battle it out for the final 16 places. Finalists return to the streets at 2:30 PM for the Top 16 duel, where the event winner is crowned. Formula Drift Live is on hand to stream all the seeding bracket and main event action throughout the two 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 Picks for Formula Drift Long Beach

Top Picks

James Deane (+268):

Reigning Formula Drift Champion James Deane is back stateside to begin his title defense. The Irishman returned to the winner’s circle at the Streets of Long Beach last year, before winning three more rounds to clinch the Championship. Deane starts as the overwhelming favorite after his sensational run in 2024.

Fredric Aasbo (+917): 

Frederic Aasbo begins the season opener with the second shortest odds in the field, after finishing third in the Championship last season. The Norwegian entertained in Atlanta last year to stand on top of the podium and ended the campaign strong with consecutive runner-ups.

Aurimas Bakchis (+930): 

Lithuanian-American Aurimas Bakchis lost out in the semi-finals on these streets a year ago to James Deane. The Feal Suspension driver delivered a consistent run in 2024, winning once, in Grantsville. Backchis’ steadiness throughout last year was rewarded as he finished second in the Championship.

Outsider Bets

Ryan Tuerck (+1230):

Ryan Tuerck endured a challenging outing last season, besides drifting around Victory Lane in Seattle. The Derry native is looking for a repeat of his 2022 heroics when he glided to the top of the podium in Southern California.

Simen Olsen (+1371): 

Norwegian Simen Olsen was on the losing side on his last trip to Long Beach, finishing second to Deane. Olsen moved on to Atlanta in round two where he also lost in the final. He battled to replicate these performances for the remainder of the season, settling for 11th place on the standings.

Conor Shanahan (+1393): 

Irishman Conor Shanahan was one of two standout rookies in 2024 along with Hiroya Minowa. His Formula Drift experience wasn’t a barrier as he earned his first trophy in only his third start in the series. Shanahan ended the season strong in Irwindale, but he fell short in the semi-final against Fredric Aasbo.

Expert Pick for Formula Drift The Streets of Long Beach

Defending event and series Champion James Deane makes him the clear pick for the Streets of Long Beach. If he can pick up from where he left off, the other drivers are in for a challenging weekend. Deane is priced at +268 which offers a prospective payday of $73.60 on a $20 bet.

Heat Picks – Seeding Round of 16

Drivers outside the Top 24 positions from the previous season have a shot at making it into the final 32 of the main event. Austin Matta, Connor O’Sullivan, and Daigo Saito are the clear favorites to prevail in their heats. The battle between Ben Hobson and Ryan Litteral is forecast to be a closer affair, for two very evenly matched racers.

Heat Picks – Top 32

The first Top 32 round of the season offers four tight matchups with lower-ranked drivers. Chris Forsberg was the best-performing driver amongst these picks in 2024, followed by Ken Gushi. Beechum versus Charpentier and Hurst against Castro is a close affair with all four drivers closely matched.

Head-to-Head Picks

Head-to-head picks for the season opener showcase evenly matched odds as we await the form of the drivers after a six-month off-season. Chris Forsberg and Matt Field are tipped to star in the closest matchup which sees last year’s seventh and 13th ranked drivers face off. 

2025 Formula Drift Series Futures

Where to Bet on Formula Drift Long Beach

Looking to lay down some action on Formula Drift at the Streets of Long Beach? 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. 

The engines are roaring and the clutch is ready to lift on the 2025 season. Can James Deane drift down Victory Lane for a second consecutive year in Long Beach or will Simen Olsen enact revenge?