2021 NWES season: Finnish Iceboys armada signs on with DF1 Racing
Henri Tuomaala, Ian Eric Waden and Leevi Lintukanto will compete in the 2021 NWES season in two cars taken under the wing of DF1 Racing
As many as three Finns will fill the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) grid in 2021. Henri Tuomaala, Ian Eric Waden and Leevi Lintukanto, who call themselves the Iceboys, will field two cars next season in a partnership with DF1 Racing from Austria.
While Tuomaala and Waden will compete in many events in both championships, Lintukanto has been confirmed for the season opener in Valencia. The #23 Chevrolet Camaro will be in the hands of Tuomaala, who immediately won the Challenger Trophy for bronze and silver drivers in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship in his 2019 debut season.
“My goal is to be in the top-10 on a regular basis. I’d be extremely pleased if I manage a couple of top-5 results”, said the Finn. “I’ll race in both championships at all events except for Valencia, to have more seat time and gain as much experience as possible.”
“I followed DF1 Racing and their work in 2019 and got the impression that they are very professional. We made a deal and now we will start that project once again. Unfortunately the pandemic and the situation worldwide made it impossible last year.”
Waden looks forward to his comeback
Waden has purchased his own car, which will wear the #44. He has also already clinched a title: In 2019, the Finn crowned himself champion of the Legend Trophy for drivers 40 and older in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship. In the 2021 season, the 55-year-old’s main goal is to have a lot of fun.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and excited like a child at Christmas. I had to skip last season, now my desire to finally race again is twice as big”, Waden said. “2019 was a great start in EuroNASCAR. That’s why I decided to buy my own car.”
“I see myself in this championship in the future. As long as I enjoy racing and have the desire, I will continue. As having fun is a factor at my age, I decided to work together with DF1 Racing. They take care of my car and everything else, it’s a turnkey solution, so to speak.
Lintukanto set to race in Valencia
For Valencia there is already the first change due to the start of Lintukanto for the Iceboys / DF1 Racing: Waden will start in his car in both championships, while Tuomaala will only hunt for points in the EuroNASCAR PRO. Lintukanto will take over the #23 car in the EuroNASCAR 2 series.
“As I already know the track from last season, I’m quite optimistic to have a good run. My goal is to find the right speed quickly and to have a good weekend without any crashes,” said Lintukanto, who scored two top-10 results in four races in Spain last year.
