Kumho Tire driver Jack Shanahan finished third in the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, Kumho Tire U.S.A. announced Oct. 27. It was his second season in the series. He capped it with a runner-up finish at Round 8, the Shoreline Showdown season finale in Long Beach, Calif., racing his E82 BMW on Kumho Ecsta V730 tires.

The finale was his fourth podium of the year.

Top qualifier to the Finals

Shanahan entered the finale as the No. 1 qualifier, which earned him four championship points and a bye through the Top 32 round. He then won three head-to-head battles to reach the Finals, where he faced five-time PRO champion James Deane in a Mustang.

Kumho says Shanahan spun in Zone 6 while pushing to stay close to Deane, and he took second.

What Kumho is saying

Ed Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire U.S.A., credited the driver and the tires:

Jack has delivered an outstanding season, and we couldn't be prouder of what he's accomplished in just his second year competing in Formula DRIFT. His four podium finishes and third-place championship standing are a testament not only to his talent and determination, but also the reliable performance of our Ecsta V730 tires.

Ed Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire U.S.A.

Shanahan said the result beat what his team expected going into the year:

What an incredible year it's been for our small but mighty team. To finish second at the final round and third overall in the championship exceeded all our expectations heading into the 2026 season. Having the grip, consistency and reliability of the Kumho Ecsta V730 tires gave me the confidence to push my limits every round and I couldn't be prouder of what we've achieved together.

Jack Shanahan, Kumho Tire driver

About the tire

Kumho describes the Ecsta V730 as an extreme-performance summer tire engineered for grip, responsiveness and consistency under demanding track conditions.

More about the company's tires and motorsports involvement is available from Kumho Tire U.S.A. Schedules and series information are on the Formula DRIFT site.

Tagged: James Deane

Kumho's Jack Shanahan Finishes Third in 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship