Marcel Jorand and Antonio Carvalho joins NASCAR Brasil Series as part of a 30-driver entry list announced for Brazil’s second round at Goiânia’s oval next weekend.
New drivers in Marcel Jorand and Antonio Carvalho will be joining the NASCAR Brasil Series for their second round at Goiânia’s Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna, held at the circuit’s 1.6-mile oval layout.
Jorand and Carvalho will join 28 other drivers, split into a 24-car roster, that are entered for the only oval race in NASCAR Brasil Series as announced on 4 April 2024.
Jorand is entered into the Challenge class as the driver of the No. 39 Chevrolet Camaro. The No. 39 car, entered by the Race Engineering team, will be a new addition to the series as the opening round at Campo Grande featured just 23 cars.
“I know the tracks at Jacarepaguá, Interlagos, Velo Citta and Goiânia,” said Jorand, the 41-year old who works as the CEO of renewable energy company Gás Verde. “The mixed circuit at the Goiânia race track is my favorite. Let’s see how I do on the outer ring, which I’ve never raced.”
“Motorsport is a great passion for me and my main hobby. My expectation in NASCAR is to learn a lot in this first year and try to be on a few podiums by the end of the season.”
Carvalho will also join Jorand in the Challenge class at Goiânia. Unlike Jorand who will race a new entrant, Carvalho – the 38-year old from Lisbon, Portugal – will take over the No. 8 Só Motor Parts Camaro that Dorivaldo Gondra Jr. raced at Campo Grande.
“The oval will be my first time,” said Carvalho in the official announcement. “I expect to be able to adapt quickly to NASCAR as it’s totally different from what I’ve driven before.”
“NASCAR is a championship known all over the world and here in Brazil there are electrifying races with drivers of the highest caliber.”
This meant that Gondra Jr. would have to race a new entry for Goiânia and fortunately for him, he found a new one. He will now share the No. 63 Philco / Grupo le Lac Chevrolet alongside Luís Trombini.
Only one other entry change was made known with the entry list announcement. It came from the No. 45 Ford Mustang entrant as Rafael Dias will not be joined by reigning champion Léo Torres – effectively marking the end of Torres’ title defense.
Fellow Portuguese driver Lourenço Beirão now joins the young Brazilian instead, leaving Jeff Giassi to race the No. 20 Giassi Supermercados Camaro solo.
Just like with Campo Grande, the races from the Goiânia oval will be livestreamed on NASCAR Brazil’s official YouTube channel.
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