Team Bleekemolen back, Krasonis signs with Academy Motorsport
Just weeks before the start of the 2021 NWES season, the grid continues to take shape – Team Bleekemolen has announced its return – Thomas Krasonis will drive for Academy Motorsports
The 2021 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) season opener will take place on May 15-16. Just a few weeks before the first race, the Silly Season continues to pick up steam. Team Bleekemolen has announced its return to EuroNASCAR, while Thomas Krasonis will compete for Academy Motorsports in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship.
Team Bleekemolen, which made its EuroNASCAR debut in 2019, will again rely on the services of Sebastiaan Bleekemolen in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship. The Dutchman scored two top-10 results in his NWES debut season and hopes his team will take the next step in 2021.
“For me personally EuroNASCAR is one of the nicest championships around and it’s a real challenge”, said the Aerdenhout native. “2019 was a learning year for us and we had some difficulties with the technique of the car, especially the brakes.”
“It was not the start we wanted but we are prepared to do better this year. We will start testing next week and it will be my first time in the Ford Mustang since 2019. I’m really looking forward to firing the engine again.”
At 71 in the NWES
His father, Michael Bleekemolen, is expected to be the oldest driver on the grid to compete in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship for the Legend Trophy for drivers at age 40 and over. The 71-year-old will share the #69 Ford Mustang with his son. In 2019, Michael Bleekemolen celebrated his 70th birthday at Zolder, which is why the car was equipped with the #70 for the one event.
“I will share the car again with my father Michael, who’s 71 years old right now”, said Sebastiaan, who’s very proud of his father. “He still has got the enthusiasm and fascination for racing like a teenager.”
Thomas Krasonis back
Krasonis will compete for the new Academy Motorsports team in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship in 2021 and drive in the same team as former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve. The Greek driver already knows Alex Caffi, who is part-owner of the team, from the 2019 season, in which he scored a top-10 result in ten races.
“Our partnership with Alex Caffi’s team, called Academy Motorsport, will continue, with me joining the team in the EuroNASCAR 2 category driving the #2 Ford Mustang. On top of that, Jacques Villeneuve, F1 champion and all-around motorsport legend, will be my teammate during this season.”
