2024 Season Recap
Over the course of the 2024 Formula Drift season, Jeff Jones Racing achieved an impressive 3.28 million Instagram impressions, driven by strong fan engagement, partner activations, and standout performances.
- Round 1 – Long Beach: Jeff won the Seeding Battle against Jao Barion, successfully debuted Kumho Tire USA, and nearly sold out new team merch. The massive Halftime Pit Party and high social media engagement set the tone for the season. 300k+ Impressions
- Round 2 – Atlanta: Jeff dominated the Seeding Bracket, winning Top 16, Great 8, Final 4, and Finals, but suffered an early exit in the Main Event due to a mechanical issue. Social media continued to thrive, alongside a podium finish at Holley LS Fest West in April. 350k+ Impressions
- Round 3 – Orlando: Despite technical challenges and a 24th-place finish, the sold-out event and strong partner support fueled ongoing fan engagement. 250k+ Impressions
- Round 4 – Englishtown: Jeff won his Top 32 battle against Olsen and filmed behind-the-scenes content for FD’s Instagram takeover and Under the Hood Youtube series. Our first East Coast activation with Evol Auto Works. The event generated massive social media reach with FD’s Instagram reaching 658k+ Impressions.
- Round 5 – St. Louis: Despite a close OMT battle with Simon Olsen, Jeff’s halftime activation and fan engagement kept momentum strong, with social media reflecting the high energy of the event. 300k+ Impressions
- Round 6 – Seattle: Jeff scored his first-ever win against James Deane, earning a Performance Bonus Podium Award and boosting Instagram impressions to 430k+. This set the stage for a strong finish to the season.
- Round 7 – Grantsville: Dominated Dereck Madison and Branden Sorenson but had an early exit in the Great 8. The event generated 456k+ impressions and further solidified Jeff’s fanbase with strong social media support.
- Round 8 – Irwindale: Jeff secured 5th place, defeating Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Ken Gushi, and had an epic OMT battle with James Deane. Social media peaked at 491k+ impressions, marking a record for the team’s merch sales and a huge fan-driven Halftime Raffle.
This strong digital presence, combined with impressive on-track performances, resulted in over 3.28 million total Instagram impressions for the season, reflecting growing fan engagement and solidifying Jeff Jones Racing as a key player in the sport.
Season Highlights & Key Takeaways:
In 2024, Jeff Jones Racing made an impact both on and off the track, solidifying our place as a leading force in the sport of drifting.
Fan Engagement & Social Media Impact
With over 3.2 million Instagram impressions throughout the season, our social media presence soared. Behind-the-scenes content, fan interactions, and event coverage kept Jeff’s loyal fanbase engaged, driving significant growth in reach and engagement. Each event saw massive fan participation, from meet-and-greets to partner activations.
Pit Parties & Fan Interaction
Our Halftime Pit Parties became a highlight at every event, drawing large crowds where Jeff personally connected with fans. Autographs, meaningful conversations, and exciting partner-branded giveaways like NRG x Jeff Jones Racing steering wheels, doc merch, BIG Drift Energy Team Merch, and Evol AutoWorks $250 gift cards created memorable fan experiences. These activations reinforced Jeff’s reputation as a true fan favorite, constantly engaging with his audience and building a strong sense of community around the sport.
Merchandise Sales & Team Growth
Near sell-outs of team merchandise at multiple events highlighted the strong fan loyalty and excitement. The Halftime Pit Parties played a key role in driving sales, as fans eagerly supported the team and showed their pride.
On-Track Performance
Jeff finished 12th overall, moving up from 17th in 2023. This strong finish showcased consistent improvement, determination, and a winning attitude throughout the season.
Partner Activations
Strategic partner activations, including collaborations with Kumho Tire USA, Evol AutoWorks, Prisma Lab, doc, Klutch Wheels offered high visibility at events and across social platforms. These partnerships were integrated into our pit setup, media coverage, and fan engagement initiatives, creating valuable exposure for all of our sponsors.
SEMA 2024 & Global Exposure
A standout moment came at SEMA 2024, where Jeff and the team debuted with Kumho Tire USA, showcasing our competition car and all of our partners to thousands of industry professionals. Additionally, Jeff’s 2023 SEMA Fest appearance was featured on the Resort World Big LED screen, amplifying the team’s global reach.
Irwindale Speedway Farewell
A defining moment of the season occurred on December 21st, when Jeff performed the last ever final drift lap at Irwindale Speedway during its closing celebration. In front of thousands of fans, Jeff gave the legendary track a fitting send-off, cementing his place as a drift ambassador and marking an emotional milestone in the sport’s history.
Overall, 2024 was a year of growth, connection, and unforgettable moments for Jeff Jones Racing—both on the track and in the hearts of our fans.
Looking Ahead – 2025 Season Plans:
Building off the momentum of an unforgettable 2024, Jeff Jones Racing is already gearing up for an action-packed 2025 season! With 22 events scheduled, including both domestic and international stops, this year promises even bigger fan engagement, high-profile competition, and thrilling moments.
International Events:
- January 18-19 – Round 5 TDGP Taiwan: Jeff competed on the global stage at one of the biggest drift events in the world.
- January 31 – February 2 – Rounds 1 & 2 D1NZ New Zealand: Jeff makes his debut in the legendary D1NZ series, adding international flair to the season.
2025 marks Jeff’s first international drift competition appearances, cementing his status as an International PRO Drifter.
Formula Drift PRO Championship:
- April – October – 8 Rounds of Formula Drift PRO: Jeff competes in the world’s biggest drift series, with eyes set on breaking into the championship ranks.
Additional Competitions & Appearances:
- March – November – HOT Pit Autofest Drift Championship: Jeff hosts 5 rounds of the fastest-growing West Coast Semi-Pro Drift series, providing young talent with the opportunity to compete against PRO/PROSPEC drifters. Jeff plays a key role in fostering the next generation of drift stars.
- April – Holley LS Fest West: Jeff returns to the iconic LS Fest West competition at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
- April – Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Super Drift: Jeff showcases his skills in one of the most prestigious drift exhibition competitions events of the year.
- June – Fuel Fest Los Angeles: Jeff participates in a high-energy drift ride-along appearance at the massively popular Fuel Fest.
- June & September – GridLife Festival Appearances: Jeff will make two thrilling GridLife Festival Driving Appearances—one in Michigan and another in Laguna Seca.
- December – Sonoma Drift Winter Jam: Jeff will wrap up the season with a high-octane Winter Jam appearance to close out 2025 in style.
With this stacked lineup, 2025 is set to be an extraordinary season, packed with even more action and amplified fan engagement. As we gear up for these exciting events, we remain committed to pushing the limits, showcasing all of our partners, and driving the sport forward with every turn. With the continued support of our partners, we are poised to achieve even greater success in 2025 and beyond. Let’s keep the momentum rolling! – Jeff Jones
