ROCKINGHAM — The final showdown at MB Drift’s second competition was like deja vu from the first, with the same two drivers going head-to-head.
This time, however, the results were reversed.
Derick Gaskins slid past Wade Smith to earn his first series win during “The Smoke Show” at Rockingham Speedway.
“I’ve been fighting for it for a while,” Gaskins, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, said after the traditional champagne shower with Smith and Dan Stoneburner, who placed third.
“Honestly, this year, I’ve had to tone down my driving,” Gaskins continued. “I’ve had to slow my roll. I don’t want to say I’m an aggressive driver — but I am … I usually don’t get beat, it’s usually me taking myself out.”
That’s an issue Gaskins has struggled with since he started competing in 2022.
“I feel like I almost did it here, but there were a few mistakes on the other side that kinda helped us get the win,” Gaskins said about his final battle with Smith. “I knew I had to go as hard as I could and I wasn’t giving him an inch — we were bumper for bumper.”
While his runs against Smith were a challenge, Gaskins said the toughest was his first, opposite Ryan Hykin.
Derick Gaskins follows Ryan Hykin in the top 32 battle on the Rockingham Speedway road course.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
“The top 32 is always the hardest,” he said, “especially when you’re driving against a guy you’ve never drove (with) before. And slower cars, when I’ve got a lot faster car, makes it a lot tougher.
“Going against him, I didn’t know how he drove … if you don’t know how somebody enters, you can lose the battle immediately,” Gaskins said. “So I just kinda took it easy and once I knew I was good, I just went in for the kill and got a win … every battle gets easier as you go down the bracket — especially when you’re drifting with your friends.”
After besting Hykin, Gaskins squared off against Drake Carter, Corey Mendenhall and Stoneburner before facing Smith for the second time this season.
On his journey to the final run, Smith won battles against Daniel Seepe, Brett Dysart, Brandon Goodman and Dustin Walker.
Wade Smith, Derick Gaskins and Dan Stoneburner celebrate their podium finishes at the end of "The Smoke Show."
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
The son of a former dirt-track racer, Gaskins said he was introduced to drifting during a NOPI event in 2005 and went to an MB Drift event in 2017.
“I really enjoyed the MB event and wanted to give it a try,” he recalled. “But I was always self conscious and didn’t want to look like a dummy trying to drift — but at the same time, we all have to start somewhere.”
After going to a Piedmont Drift event in 2020, however, Gaskins said he had “an amazing time” and bought a Ford Mustang the following month. Since competing with MB Drift, he’s driven a 2000 C5 Corvette.
This was Stoneburner’s second podium finish at Rockingham, coming in second at 2022’s “Battle at Little Rock.” He previously finished second and third for the season in the series during its time at Myrtle Beach Speedway.
2024 champ Andy Lacause-Wright had car trouble again and competed in a car borrowed from Steven Larsen, but didn't make it past his first battle. Last month, he borrowed a GMC Canyon from the father of his first opponent, winning that battle but falling in the next.
Married drifters Dustin and Taylor Walker also faced each other in a battle, with the husband getting the win before moving on.
Taylor and Dustin Walker slide into the first turn while facing off during the competition.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Dustin Walker initially lost his first battle with Gaskins’ son, Cameron, but challenged the judges’ decision and was awarded a rematch — which he won.
While it was his first time winning with MB Drift, it was Gaskins’ second victory at the Rock, having taken the checkered flag in the first Crown 9 race earlier in the year.
Although Charlotte Motor Speedway is half the distance from his hometown, Gaskins considers Rockingham as his home track.
“The speedway has brought me a lot of joy,” he said. “I love it here, I love the history here … I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Gaskins and Smith are now tied in points heading into the third and final round scheduled for Aug. 30, where the season champ will be crowned.
MB Drift also has two non-competitive events scheduled for the 2025 season: Summer Matsuri July 19-20; and Halloween Havoc Oct. 25-26.
See more photos from the competition at the RO's Facebook page.
