The Formula Drift Series: Round 6, would play host to thousands of avid race fans, as this stop would also be held in conjunction with the Indy Racing League (IRL). Teams and drivers alike would be able to showcase their efforts, programs, and sponsors to a fan base that were new to drifting and realize extensive media coverage and marketing exposure.

Ryuji Miki's RX7

With consistent Top 16 finishes and a 2nd place podium finish in Round 4: Las Vegas, Ryuji Miki and the A’PEXi / Hankook Tire RX-7 team would be motivated and set their sights on getting back on the podium. Ryuji Miki’s experience would prove to be an essential factor for qualifying, as much of the practice was missed due to logisitical delays, Miki was able to pilot the FD3S RX-7 on Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires to the 2nd overall qualifying position on minimal practice. Ryuji Miki would face off against Taka Aono and his AE86 Corolla, and would be able to create a gap and follow Aono’s line, advancing into the Top 16 round.

In the Top 16 Round, it was a battle between the rotaries as Miki would face off against Kyle Mohan in the Mazdatrix RX-8, both powered by a 13B-REW rotary engine, it played out to be a good matchup. Ryuji Miki would keep to his aggressive style while leading and enter the first corner initiating at 89mph, he would take an advantage as Mohan would go slightly wide. During the chase, Miki was able to close in on the RX-8 of Mohan and advance to the Great 8 round. The next opponent would be a face-off against former champion Samuel Hubinette in his V-10 powered Dodge Viper. It was a close battle into the tear drop section of the course where Miki would then pull away from Samuel Hubinette and the Dodge Viper giving him the edge. In the chase round, the A’PEXi driver would be propelled by the Ventus R-S3 tires keeping right on the bumper of the Viper, moving into the Final Four semi-finals.

Ryuji Miki finishes third

In the Final Four matchup, Miki would be matched up against Stephan Verdier, the 1st place winner of this event. With a slight correction coming off of the rumble strips in the last corner, Ryuji Miki and the A’PEXi / Hankook Tires RX-7 would move onto the consolation round for the 3rd place spot and do battle against Hankook Tires team mate and back-to-back champion Tanner Foust in the Scion tC. This would be a rematch of the Finals from Round 4 in Las Vegas and proved to be one of the most aggressive and exciting battles of the day. As the 2 drivers would shadow each others speed, angle, and line, they would end up in a 2nd and final One More Time battle. During the lead run, Tanner Foust would come in aggressive trying to match the speed of Ryuji Miki in the RX-7, and would tap the vehicle, giving Miki the advantage into the chase round where Miki would stay on the rear bumper and door of Tanner Foust, sealing the 3rd place podium finish and moving up in the overall series standings from 17th position to 11th position for the 2009 season going into the Final round being held at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California on October 16th and 17th.