Max Lanza is set to return to the EuroNASCAR PRO class with CAAL Racing and two brand new schemes on the No. 88 Chevrolet, courtesy of primary sponsors Wakala and Avangarde Group.
Massimiliano “Max” Lanza will be returning to the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2023. The 42-year old driver announced yesterday that he will be staying with CAAL Racing for a second season in EuroNASCAR PRO with a goal of fighting for the top Challenger Trophy honors.
Wakala, Lanza’s long-time personal sponsor, will continue to sponsor the Italian for the upcoming season. They will be joined by Avangarde Group, a leading Italian ICT consulting company based in Pavia, as primary sponsors of Lanza’s No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro.
“I could not have dreamed of a better start!” said Lanza on his official release. “Double main sponsor, double paint scheme and double racing suits in the most genuine style of US NASCAR!”
“My biggest thanks goes to Avangarde Group and Wakala for their big support in this season. A great help that, together with the partnerships with KO2, CEPI TAAS and all my partners, would let me be confident for the start of this season.”
Wakala, who were also involved with NASCAR Whelen Euro Series as the primary partner and developer for EuroNASCAR’s official mobile app, will sponsor Lanza at Brands Hatch, Vallelunga and Most. The No. 88 Wakala Camaro will feature a black base color with multi-colored checkerboards inspired by the Wakala logo on the side of the car.
“After the awesome 2022 season and all the emotions of the title contention until the last race, this year we want to be even closer to Max and give him a bigger support on his NASCAR dream. It will be an honor for us to see the #88 Wakala powered Camaro on the tracks of half of Europe!” said Emanuele Cordaro, Wakala’s CEO, on the official release.
For the rounds at Valencia, Oschersleben and Zolder, Lanza’s No. 88 Chevrolet will be decked with the black-and-cyan colors of Avangarde Group, who stepped up their involvement with Lanza after they acted as the secondary sponsors of the No. 88 CAAL team in 2022.
“Our success has always been linked to people because they are the engine that generates innovation. That’s why we want to confirm and extend our support to Max Lanza,” comments Stefano Mantovani, CEO of Avangarde Group, on the official release.
Lanza completed his first full-season campaign in EuroNASCAR PRO last year after several seasons of competition in EuroNASCAR 2. He finished 17th in the standings with four top-10 finishes and was the second-best finishing rookie driver in the top class last year, only being narrowly defeated by the joint top rookies Liam Hezemans and Cosimo Barberini.
Lanza also remained in contention for the overall Challenger Trophy honors for the entire season despite not starting the two races at Brands Hatch due to a sudden case of illness. With experience gained from a full season in the top class, Lanza felt that he’s more prepared to fight for the Challenger Trophy victory in 2023.
“Thanks to last year’s experience, I feel much better prepared from every point of view,” said Lanza on his expectations for 2023. “I definitely want to fight for the Challenger Trophy again, with the aim of finishing in the top-10 as often as possible.”
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