Battling in the Beehive: Cole Richards’ Last Round at Formula Drift Utah

The final round of the 2025 Formula Drift ProSpec season brought the high-stakes drama to the Utah Motorsports Campus. Amid the elbow-to-elbow competition, Cole Richards — driving the Koruworks / Richards Racing FRS — faced a tough exit in the Top 32. But his season told a bigger story of growth, consistency, and determination.

The Setup: Championship on the Line

Heading into Utah, Cole Richards was right in the mix for the ProSpec title — tied for first place with Nate Chen and Dmitriy Brutskiy. All three drivers sat at 100 points, making every pass, every battle, and every inch of track time critical to the championship chase.

Utah Rundown

At the Final Round 4 in Utah (held at Burt Brothers Motorpark, Grantsville, UT), Cole’s campaign came to a narrow end in the Top 32. Matched against Camren Sorensen, Cole’s run ended after going off-course in Outside Zone 4 (OZ4). The mistake cost him progression, and he finished 17th for the round and 5th overall in the championship standings.

Despite the early exit, his performance across the season showcased his ability to hang with the top of the field and proved why he’s a name to watch in the Formula Drift paddock.

Season Reflection

Cole has been a standout talent since his rookie year. Back in 2023, he burst onto the scene with a win at Round 2 in New Jersey and a second-place finish at Utah, ultimately taking Rookie of the Year honors. His trajectory since then has been nothing short of impressive.

In 2025, Cole kept that momentum alive. A highlight came at Round 2 in Atlanta, where he captured a major win that pushed him firmly back into championship contention. Combined with consistent finishes across the season, he entered Utah tied at the top — a testament to both driver skill and team effort.

Final Thoughts

While Utah didn’t end the way Cole or the Koruworks crew had envisioned, the bigger picture shows a driver coming into his own at the professional level. Finishing tied for the lead heading into the finale, and securing 5th overall in the championship, reflects the resilience and competitiveness he’s become known for.

With the Koruworks family backing him, more seat time, and valuable lessons learned from the 2025 season, Cole Richards is poised for an even stronger push in the seasons ahead. If Utah was the closing chapter of this year’s fight, then the next one is set to be a story of redemption and podiums.