Ken Gushi at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $3 Million
- Birthdate: September 19, 1986
- Birthplace: Okinawa, Japan
- Nationality: Japanese
- Profession: Professional Drifter, Team Owner
Table of Contents
What is Ken Gushi’s Net Worth?
Ken Gushi has a net worth of $3 million. As one of the original and most enduring figures in professional drifting, Gushi built his fortune through a combination of event prize money, team operations, and high-profile corporate partnerships.
His wealth is primarily derived from his long-standing career in the Formula Drift Pro Championship. Gushi maintains a position as a top-tier factory driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing, a lucrative role that provides consistent salary and support. This is supplemented by major, long-term sponsorships from leading automotive brands, including GReddy Performance, Kenda Tire, Motul, and Rays.
Beyond his driver’s seat, Gushi is the owner and operator of Ken Gushi Motorsports (KGMS). This venture adds another income stream through team management, merchandise sales, and direct partnerships. Gushi also leverages his specialized skills as a professional stunt driver for various media projects and automotive commercials.
Early Life
Kenshiro “Ken” Gushi was born in Okinawa, Japan, and was raised in San Gabriel, California. His entry into motorsports was inevitable; his father, Tsukasa Gushi, was a driver and enthusiast who introduced his son to car control at a young age.
At just 13 years old, Gushi began learning to drift in his father’s Toyota AE86. This early education on a closed course quickly developed his natural talent, setting the stage for a professional career that would begin before he even had a standard driver’s license.
Career
Ken Gushi’s professional career is synonymous with the history of drifting in the United States. In 2002, at 16, he became the youngest competitor in both the D1 Grand Prix of Japan and the newly formed Formula Drift championship, establishing him as a prodigy in the emerging sport.
He is one of only a handful of drivers to have competed in every Formula Drift season since its inception in 2004. His longevity is marked by consistent performance and key victories, including a major $10,000 winner-take-all event in 2004 and his first Formula Drift event win in Houston in 2005.
Gushi’s career has been defined by his deep ties to Toyota and its performance divisions. He was instrumental in campaigning cars for Scion Racing, including the Scion tC and the Scion FR-S (Toyota 86). This relationship evolved into a full factory partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, where he has piloted competition versions of the Toyota GR Supra and, most recently, the Toyota GR86.
His collaboration with GReddy Racing has been a cornerstone of his modern career, resulting in some of the most recognizable and competitive cars on the grid. In 2019, Gushi transitioned to an owner-driver role with Ken Gushi Motorsports, a move that culminated in a celebrated victory at the 2019 Formula Drift season finale at Irwindale Speedway. He continues to compete at the highest level, entering the 2025 season as a veteran icon of the sport.
