Formula Drift qualifying at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

Justin Pawlak, a driver from Long Beach, was the top qualifier for the Formula Drift season finale at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Friday night.
The 30-year-old transplant from Michigan put his Mazda RX-8 in the top spot for Saturday night races at Irwindale. The top-32 drivers earned spots in the final race of the Formula Drift season.
Chris Forsberg, the leader in the Formula Drift standings, qualified seventh. Ryan Tuerck, the second place driver in the Formula Drift standings, qualified second for the Irwindale races. Vaughn Gittin, in third place in the Formula Drift standings, was the 12th qualifier.
Michael Essa, one of the top rookies in Formula Drift and a driver from Los Angeles, qualified 14th in his Mazda RX-7.
“I’d like to place in the top-eight this weekend,” said Essa, a graduate of Culver City High School. “That would be awesome against all these guys that have been out here for years.”
Cody Parkhouse, a driver from Long Beach making only his second start of the season, put his Nissan 240-SX in the 25th qualifying spot.
“Irwindale usually draws a pretty good group,” said Parkhouse, a graduate of Long Beach Wilson High School.