In the Formula Drift competition, anybody with a powerful car and the ability to drive sideways can take home the gold. That is why in 2010 a relatively unknown named Vaughn Gittin Jr. managed to take home podium finish after podium finish, before eventually accepting the championship title. Gittin no doubt had his team and his new Mustang to thank for a competitive edge, but at the end of the day, it was his driving that won out.

Last year though it was all about another up-and-coming star, Justin Pawlak, who moved through the ranks but had to settle for a final standing of second place at the end of the season. Now with three events under their belt, the Mustang drift drivers are looking to eek out any advantage they can, and at the most recent Formula Drift event in Palm Beach, Florida, Pawlak and Gittin finally went head-to-head.

Who came out on top? Well technically, neither of them did. See, both Gittin and Pawlak managed to make it to the Round of 8, where the two Mustang drivers faced off before moving on to the next round. Pawlak, Gittin’s teammate, was chasing the 2010 champ when the two swapped paint. Gittin lost control and wound up busting a tie rod, ending his chase for first place.

Pawlak would move on to the next round, but fell to the eventual victor of the night, Daigo Saito, who also beat Chris Forsberg for the overall victory. That still gives Pawlak a 20-point lead in the overall standings over Saito, and more than a 100 point lead over Gittin. But can he hold onto his lead through the end of the racing season?