2021 EuroNASCAR season: Entry list reveals last-minute decisions
The 2021 NWES season kicks off next weekend in Valencia – The official entry list has revealed a few more surprises
The 2021 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) is about to get underway, as the V8 engines will rev for the first time next weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. The official entry list reveals that there have been some last-minute driver commitments, which is why a total of 30 cars have been entered.
Thomas Ferrando is set to join Academy Alex Caffi Motorsport. So far, the Frenchman had not appeared on the entry list, but he seems to have found a cockpit just before the start of the season. He is set to compete in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship, sharing the #1 car with Vladimiros Tziortzis.
Vict Racing also announced its participation in the 2021 NWES season shortly before the deadline. Team principal Dario Caso will again attack the Challenger Trophy of the EuroNASCAR PRO championship in the #8 car, while Paolo Valeri will compete in the EuroNASCAR 2 series.
Lasserre brings Speedhouse back to the grid
Speedhouse will bring the #64 Ford Mustang to Valencia. Team principal and 2010 champion Lucas Lasserre will take over the car in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship, while NWES veteran Eric Quintal will compete in the EuroNASCAR 2 division.
The team will send a young kart driver, Paul Jouffreau, into the Club Challenge. In addition, Marcel Berndt from Berlin will start for the team under the Speedhouse by 42 Racing banner in the #17 car in the regularity based challenge. For Berndt it is the first start under the official NWES banner.
Last but not least, endurance legend Marc Goossens has been confirmed in #77 car by DF1 Racing from Austria. The Belgian will be back in the hunt for points in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship, using all his experience to fight for victories.
Rib injury and COVID-19 thwart plans
Igor Romanov was supposed to compete in the #91 car of Not Only Motorsport. Although the Ukrainian was vaccinated, he contracted the virus. Due to the vaccination, Romanov said on social media, the disease was mild. A start in Valencia is not possible due to the COVID-19 disease.
Andreas Kuchelbacher, who will compete in the Club Challenge together with Gordon Barnes for Marko Stipp Motorsport, will also be unable to travel to Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The Austrian has suffered a rib injury and will have to take a break for the time being.
This means that a total of seven drivers will be competing in the opening round of the regularity test: Barnes, Berndt, Jouffeau, Federico Monti, Nicolo Gabossi, Simona Lenci and Jerome Mure. The race weekend of the EuroNASCAR PRO and EuroNASCAR 2 championships will take place on May 15-16.
