24 teams ready for the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season opener at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain – Competitive grids promise one of the closest championship battles in EuroNASCAR history
- 24 teams will represent 19 nations at the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series opener
- Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia will host the first race weekend for the 11th time
- The highest level of competition promises tight door-to-door battles and pure racing
It’s time to fire up the roaring V8 engines of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series for the 14th official NASCAR season in Europe. With a new season come new, exciting battles. A total of 24 teams have entered the 2025 season opener at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, with all cars fully booked with drivers and teams representing 19 nations from around the world. Four spectacular sprint races highlight the Valencia NASCAR Fest, which has been an integral part of the series’ success since the inaugural race weekend in 2012. 11 season openers over a total of 13 race weekends have been held at the notorious arena in Spain, making it one of the best American-themed festivals on the NASCAR Euro Series schedule.
The 4.005-kilometer track consists of 14 turns and one of the longest straights – 876 meters – that will be the stage for a thundering orchestra of 5.7-liter V8 engines with a total of 9,600 horsepower approaching Turn 1. Off the track, families and die-hard NASCAR fans will find an American-themed festival with music, attractions for kids and adults alike, and food trucks bringing Spanish cuisine directly to one of the most spectacular racing arenas in Europe. From the grandstands, fans will be able to follow all the action thanks to the coliseum-like layout. In addition to the highlights of EuroNASCAR, the track also hosts the Spanish Truck Racing Championship and the Copa Racer Confortauto touring cars.
PRO: More than ten title contenders?
The NASCAR Euro Series PRO championship is the pinnacle of NASCAR in Europe, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Looking at the 24 entries for the season opener, fans can expect that way more than ten drivers will be able to fight for victory based on their successes in the past, but there are even more pilots craving to be among the contenders as well as newcomers and rookies striving to beat the best European NASCAR drivers.
After a record-setting 2024 season, reigning champion Vittorio Ghirelli will defend his title with PK Carsport, one of the most successful teams on the grid. The Italian will face his arch-rival Gianmarco Ercoli, who has joined Alumitec Racing, supported by CAAL Racing, to fight for his second PRO title. Former OPEN champions Liam Hezemans (Rette Jones Racing), Paul Jouffreau (RDV Competition) and Ulysse Delsaux (Speedhouse) will also be in the mix, but there are more pilots who have proven they have what it takes to win PRO races.
Experienced drivers like Marc Goossens (Academy / Caffi Motorsport), Claudio Cappelli (Academy / Caffi Motorsport), Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen) and Romain Iannetta (CAAL Racing) know the series like the back of their hands. Young guns like Vladimiros Tziortzis and Giorgio Maggi (both Speedhouse) or PRO newcomers like Garret Lowe and Julien Rehberg (both Bremotion) are also striving to be in the mix. Many drivers will be vying for victory in the special classes – the Junior Trophy for pilots under the age of 25 and the Challenger Trophy for elite amateurs. Seven riders are competing for the Junior Trophy and five drivers for the Challenger Trophy.
OPEN: Doubek against the world
Martin Doubek will defend his OPEN title after winning the championship for the second time in 2024. The Hendriks Motorsport driver will again do double duty and compete in both divisions. Race winners Patrick Schober (RDV Competition), Claudio Cappelli (Academy / Caffi Motorsport) and Gil Linster (Rette Jones Racing) have been preparing over the winter to unseat the Czech from the OPEN throne. Thomas Toffel (M Racing) is chasing his first race win after a promising 2024 campaign. As in the PRO division, the OPEN grid promises an exciting and thrilling season with many contenders ready to fight for their time in the spotlight.
The brand-new Master Trophy combines rookies and amateurs in the OPEN division to create a highly competitive special class. Andres Beers (Academy / Caffi Motorsport), newcomer Valentino Gambarotto (Alumitec Racing), Mario Ercoli (Lux Motorsport), Thomas Dombrowski (PK Carsport), Florian Richard (Speedhouse), Sando Tavartkiladze (Marko Stipp Motorsport), Bruno Mulders (Team Bleekemolen) and Dominique Schaak (Bremotion) are all strong contenders for the class win. An interesting mix of new blood and experience will clash for the first time under the Spanish sun.
In the Legend Trophy, reigning winner Cappelli will face off against Melvin de Groot (Team Bleekemolen), who will be looking to bring the title back to the Netherlands. Also returning are Sven van Laere (Marko Stipp Motorsport), veteran Fabrizio Armetta (Club Motorsport), Japanese superstar Kenko Miura (Team Japan Needs24), gentleman driver Roberto Benedetti (CAAL Racing) and racing enthusiast Eric Clement (CAAL Racing). In the Lady Trophy, all-time record holder Arianna Casoli (Speedhouse) takes on EuroNASCAR rookie and influence Happinessa (Bremotion). The battle is on and buckle up for one of the most competitive championships in history.
Rookie Challenge: 14 drivers entered The brand new Rookie Challenge will debut at Circuit Ricardo Tormo with its revamped time attack based regularity concept. After a 30-minute practice session on Friday, drivers will have to respect passing zones and achieve the best lap time in two 30-minute timed sessions. Best five laps count and consistency is key. The Rookie Challenge is the best way to explore the world of EuroNASCAR in a friendly but competitive environment.
Reigning overall champion Federico Monti (Academy / Caffi Motorsport) will be looking to defend his title, but he will have to beat 13 other drivers in a record-breaking field. 11 nations will be represented in the Rookie Challenge with many new drivers ready to make their first experience in a V8 EuroNASCAR car with no electronic aids, the new 5-speed sequential gearbox and a roaring V8 engine producing 400 horsepower. Grab your tickets now and experience a full weekend of Americana and the best touring car racing in Europe.
PRO
Georgian drivers make their debut – Davit Kajaia (PRO) and Sandro Tavartkiladze (OPEN) will represent Georgia in EuroNASCAR for the first time.
Two PRO champions on the grid – Vittorio Ghirelli and Gianmarco Ercoli – both from Italy – have already won titles in PRO, respectively in 2024 and 2023.
Touring car legend to race in EuroNASCAR – Four-time WTCC Champion Yvan Muller will make his EuroNASCAR debut with his own M Racing team in Valencia.
OPEN
Five rookies on the grid – Andres Beers, Valentino Gambarotto, Sandro Tavartkiladze, Happinessa and Bruno Mulders are the newcomers to the OPEN championship.
Four race winners in the mix – Patrick Schober, Claudio Cappelli, Martin Doubek and Gil Linster have already won races in the OPEN division.
17 out of 23 drivers eligible for special classes – The races in the races will be a blast with the majority of the OPEN drivers fighting not only for the overall race wins but also for the honors in the Master, Legend and Lady Trophy.
Source: NASCAR Communications
