Experience the key to success: How Goossens stormed through the field
The weather made for plenty of excitement in the NWES last Saturday at the Autodrom Most – Marc Goossens used all his experience to shine under changing weather conditions
One thing the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) in Most was certainly not lacking last Saturday: excitement. Due to the difficult weather conditions, the first round of the EuroNASCAR PRO saw many position changes, battles and some drivers going off track. Marc Goossens took advantage at the wheel of the DF1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro and fought his way up to the podium from 19th place.
“I think the race was more about experience and strategy than anything else, given the changing conditions,” the Belgian told ‘Leadlap.net’ after the first race. Unlike most drivers, Goossens stayed on the slicks a little longer when it started to rain. In his opinion, that was “the right decision”.
“I don’t think it was the pace that brought me from 19th to third. I think it was more the experience and the strategy that helped me a lot,” stressed the 51-year-old from Geel, Belgium. This tactical decision saw him work his way further and further ahead and he was in fourth position when the safety car came onto the track so that Francesco Sini’s car could be recovered from the gravel trap. “It was a bit of a gamble, but my experience told me to stay out a bit longer.”
Thanks to a good restart, Goossens fought his way into third place just before the end. “I wanted to make sure I was on the podium today. So I’m pretty happy,” said the Belgian, pleased with his top 3 finish. Goossens was hoping that the rain would strike again on Sunday and make for an unpredictable race.
However, it stayed dry the following day in the sixth EuroNASCAR PRO race of the 2021 NWES season, which is why Goossens didn’t make it to the podium this time. Despite another chaotic start including a safety car period, the Belgian advanced from 17th to eleventh place and thus just missed the top 10 by just an inch.
