The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series returns this week for the second round of the 2019 season, the NASCAR GP of Italy at Autodromo di Franciacorta. The 2.519 km, 12-turn circuit has been the site of many exciting moments in its short NWES history, such as the surprise win of Denny Zardo in Elite 2 in 2017 as well as the site of the first “encumbered” victory in Euro Series last year.
Ander Vilariño, arguably the greatest driver in Euro Series history, once again proved why he’s such a dominant force in the series when he pulled the sweep at Valencia. Having led in almost every session at Valencia, the Spaniard proved that he hasn’t lost his edge in this series despite being absent for three years.
With drivers such as Alon Day, Loris Hezemans, and Stienes Longin being able to run close to him at Valencia, however, it remains to be seen whether the Valencia sweep is a possible sign towards a Vilarino domination in 2019 or not.
For Day, last year proved to be a week full of ups and downs. He dominated the field in both races and initially looks set to come out of Franciacorta with a sweep.
Five days after the race, however, NASCAR announced that they have disqualified the Israeli from Race 2 after he failed post-race technical inspection. For the first time since 1960, a race winner was disqualified from a NASCAR race. This year, Day looks to avenge his demons as he tries to score his first win of the 2019 season.
Hezemans and Stienes also had a up and down week at Franciacorta last year, with a solid finish on one race being countered by a DNF on the other race.
Both drivers certainly had the pace to challenge Vilariño and with them wanting to score a victory this season, it should be interesting to see whether they can threaten the Spaniard on the top of the food chain.
Other drivers to watch out are Nicolò Rocca, who scored a double top-5 finish at Valencia, and Marc Goossens. The Belgian had a very good pace in 2018, but a late restart incident in Race 1 that dropped him way down the order and a last lap, last corner overtake by Lucas Lasserre in Race 2 that turned out to be the deciding move left the Belgian hungry and wanting for more.
Last year’s Race 2 winner Lasserre comes to Franciacorta hoping towards a better result after he was forced to retire from Race 2 at Valencia due to an engine failure. Having showed that the No. 33 Mishumotors Camaro had the pace to compete up in the front, the Frenchman can be a dark horse candidate for getting the win at Italy.
RDV Competition are also looking towards a better outing at Franciacorta. In Valencia, Frédéric Gabillon had a mostly lonely weekend while defending Elite 2 champion Ulysse Delsaux only had a 16th place finish in Race 1 and a DNF in Race 2.
It is undeniable that both drivers have the talent to compete up in the front, so the question lies more on whether RDV can provide the cars that will let them compete for the win in Italy.
Go Fas driver and 1997 Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve is also one that looks towards a better weekend in Italy. Much like Lasserre, a mechanical failure forced him out of the contention from Race 2 at Valencia.
The Canadian is hoping that he can score his first top-10 finish in the Euro Series, having come narrowly close to it at Race 1 in Valencia.
Gianmarco Ercoli, Alex Sedgwick, Romain Iannetta and Christophe Bouchut are also looking to score better results at Franciacorta. Both Sedgwick and Iannetta had a DNF in one of the races at Valencia, but Bouchut and Ercoli weren’t so “lucky”.
Bouchut was forced to sit out Race 2 at Valencia due to the damage sustained by the No. 66 DF1 Racing Camaro. The car had been involved on a scary crash in Elite 2, where Advait Deodhar impacted the wall hard on Sunday due to a brake failure.
Ercoli, meanwhile, had an absolute shocker of a weekend – a DNF in Race 1 and finishing only 21st in Race 2 is very much less than ideal for the Italian’s championship hopes.
There will be three driver changes for Franciacorta. Alex Caffi will return to the series as the replacement of defending Mexico Series champion Rubén García Jr. in his team’s No. 1 Mustang, while Eric Filgueiras will replace 2000 Monster Energy Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte in the Mishumotors No. 70 SS.
In addition, Luigi Ferrara will also make his NASCAR debut for Franciacorta with the No. 42 Mustang of 42 Racing by FS Motorsports. Two teams – Racing-Total JJCR and The Club Motorsport – did not have a driver listed on the Entry List.
The green flag for this year’s edition of NASCAR GP of Italy will be waved at 1:30 PM CEST on Saturday for Race 1, and at 2:30 PM CEST on Sunday for Race 2.
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.
Last Edited: 20 November 2024