The NASCAR Euro Series ignites excitement at Zolder, but controversy looms over its future!
Qualifying drama and an intense race:
In the picturesque setting of Zolder, Belgium, the NASCAR Whelen Euroseries delivered a thrilling weekend of racing. The qualifying session saw a strategic battle, with reigning Euro-Champion Vittorio Ghirelli and his PK-Motorsport Chevy Camaro dominating. Ghirelli secured pole position, leaving his rivals in a tactical chase.
The starting grid featured a diverse lineup: Frenchman Paul Jouffreau, Dutchman Bruno Mulders, American SIM-racer Garrett Lowe, and Swiss Thomas Toffel all vied for top spots. Liam Hezemans, representing Rette-Jones/Team Hendriks-Motorsport, impressed with a 7th place start, while German Julien Rehberg secured the last spot in the Superpole Qualifying Shootout.
Race day chaos and unexpected outcomes:
As the race began, chaos ensued. Jouffreau and Mulders collided, ending their race prematurely. Ghirelli seized the lead, showcasing his champion's prowess. But the drama didn't end there; a full-course yellow was called, adding a twist to the competition. Hezemans capitalized on the restart, overtaking Gianmarco Ercoli with a brilliant move.
"I aimed for the win, but Vittorio Ghirelli was untouchable," Hezemans later reflected.
Ercoli secured a solid 3rd place, while Rehberg's race turned sour, dropping to 6th. Ryan Vargas, despite a well-performing Chevrolet Camaro, finished 13th. The unlucky Thomas Toffel, after early contact with Ghirelli, received a penalty, ultimately settling for 22nd.
Local hero's surprise appearance:
The crowd's favorite, local hero Marc Goossens, stepped in last-minute for Italian team owner Fabrizio Armetta. With no prior testing, Goossens stunned everyone with a remarkable 9th-place finish. A true testament to his racing prowess!
Controversy casts a shadow:
But here's where the real controversy begins. The future of the NASCAR Euroseries event at the German Oschersleben-Circuit is in jeopardy. Despite its success in recent years, the series might not return. Rumors suggest that the German ADAC, organizers of the DTM-Series, consider the NASCAR Whelen Euroseries a direct rival and have pressured Oschersleben to distance themselves.
And this is the part that sparks debate: Is the NASCAR Euroseries truly a threat to other racing championships? Are these rumors a strategic move to protect established series? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss the future of this thrilling racing series!
