Missing puzzle pieces: Marko Stipp completes driver line-up for 2022 NWES season
Marko Stipp Motorsport announced a total of three drivers at the end of April, finalizing its plans for the 2022 NWES season – Romain Iannetta returns to EuroNASCAR PRO
Marko Stipp Motorsport has allocated all cockpits for the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES). One EuroNASCAR PRO seat and two Club Challenge seats were still available, which have now been filled. The German racing team is banking on consistency and has therefore signed Romain Iannetta for the top category and current champion Gordon Barnes and former champion Andreas Kuchelbacher for the regularity test.
Marko Stipp enters the 2022 NWES season with an unchanged driver line-up: Iannetta already contested six races for the team last year and even collected lead laps at Autodrom Most in the rain. The Frenchman has been a regular part of the championship that is officialy part of NASCAR since 2012 and has claimed two wins and 24 top-five results in 71 starts to date. Last year, he finished in the top-10 twice.
“We performed well in Free Practice, Qualifying and even in the races we were fast in the rain,” said Iannetta. “In the end we didn’t get the results in. I think that by working together even better we can aim for good positions. The goal will be to finish the races in the top-5 and score some podium finishes. I can help to find the best car setup for the team with all my experience.”
Barnes has been part of the Stipp squad since 2020 and last year took the Club Challenge title. It was the first major trophy for the organization, which is based at Venray Raceway in the Netherlands. Kuchelbacher, who won the regularity test in 2017, has also been in Stipp’s team in 2021. Both drivers are chasing their second Club Challenge title in 2022.
“After a very successful season in 2021, I saw no overriding reason to switch to a different team. We had very few problems last year,” said Barnes. “Federico Monti is always a strong competitor and after losing out two years in a row, I expect he will be pushing hard for success in 2022.”
Kuchelbacher says: “Looking back, the start of the year was bumpy. But with the win in Rome and the second place in Zolder, I have gained momentum, as I feel mentally fully recovered. The knot bursted at the end of 2021. It not only motivates me wanting to be on the podium at every race in 2022, but also it will help me bring home the second title. I’m convinced that the 2022 title is within reach, it will happen.”
