NASCAR’s first Greek driver Thomas Krasonis will be returning to NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2021 after it was announced during Academy’s pre-season test session at Circuito Tazio Nuvolari that he will be driving Academy Motorsport’s No. 2 car for the full-season in EuroNASCAR 2.
Thomas Krasonis, NASCAR’s first Greek driver, will be returning to NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2021 after he announced yesterday that he will drive the No. 2 car of Academy Motorsport in the EuroNASCAR 2 class for the full season.
Krasonis’ return with Academy Motorsport would saw the Greek driver reunite with his 2019 team Alex Caffi Motorsport, which underwent a rebrand into Academy Motorsport during the off-season after Federico Monti became the co-owner of the team. He will be joining Vladimiros Tziortzis as the drivers that will drive for Academy in the EuroNASCAR 2 division.
“In 2019, we participated in a new category for us, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. In 2021, we continue our journey and we’re really happy about that,” said Krasonis in his official announcement. “I will be competing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, but with a few changes since the last time.”
“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.”
“I look forward to this challenge, for all the on-track battles, for the competition. I can’t wait to get back in the car, get my seatbelts done and go pedal to the metal!”
Krasonis’ announcement was made during Academy’s latest pre-season test held at Cervesina’s Circuito Tazio Nuvolari. The test itself saw Krasonis, Tziortzis, Villeneuve, and Monti tested Academy’s No. 2 and No. 5 cars in preparation for the season-opening round at Valencia. Krasonis’ post-testing quote suggests that the test at Cervesina, which saw the cars being tested on both dry and wet conditions, was a success.
“Today, it was a day of reconnaissance with the new Academy Motorsport squad,” said Krasonis on the test. “Our goal was to get familiar with the new race car in order to be as prepared as possible for the season debut in Valencia, Spain.”
“Jacques Villeneuve’s presence was of great importance. We had a great conversation with him, alongside our teammate and my friend, Vladimiros Tziortzis, and he was keen on answering our questions.”
Krasonis, who finished 20th in the overall standings on his debut EuroNASCAR 2 season in 2019 with a best race finish of 6th at Brands Hatch, is scheduled to make his return to on-track competition on NASCAR GP Spain at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
Disclaimer: Unless noted, all photos used in this article are courtesy of Thomas Krasonis / Academy Motorsport.