Our first Race Preview for the 2024 NASCAR Oval GP takes a look at the changes that had been announced in the Provisional Entry List for Raceway Venray.
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is back at an oval circuit for the first time in five years. Raceway Venray in the Netherlands is the track that will host NASCAR Oval GP, the fourth round of the 2024 season.
The half-mile oval has grown a reputation as one of the biggest short tracks in Europe thanks to its high speed and unique corners, which feature a progressive banking of 10–25° that promotes the usage of the outside lane as the ideal racing lane.
This made for a challenging circuit to master, as short tracks generally preferred the inside lane as the lane of choice. Maintaining momentum will be the key and as is tradition for oval racing, the tiniest mistakes can lead to the biggest consequences.
Nevertheless, the unpredictability of oval racing is something that has been long missing from EuroNASCAR and with 34 drivers and 22 teams set to enter, there’s plenty of interest from the competitors to try out this one-of-a-kind experience.
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On the team’s side, there’s a notable absence among the Italian contingent because Vict Motorsport, Club Motorsport and Granducato Speed have all decided to not compete in the oval race.
Another team that won’t make the trip to Venray is Team Japan Needs24, but it’s perhaps not a surprise as Kenko Miura’s squad are competing part-time in the series.
Race Planet Team Bleekemolen also decided to enter only three cars for this race, with the No. 11 Anyone.com Ford of Reza Sardeha skipping his home round due to the Iranian-born Dutchman’s inexperience at the ovals.
On the plus side, Academy Motorsport was able to complete their repair for the No. 5 Cremona Gronde Ford in time for the oval race.
This meant that Claudio Remigio Cappelli would be able to race his car again after he had to temporarily share a ride with Vladimiros Tziortzis at Brands Hatch.
Within EuroNASCAR PRO, three drivers are set to make their debut in the class at Venray. The first is three-time Club Challenge champion Gordon Barnes, who will use his oval expertise to guide Double V Racing on their first oval race in the championship.
He will be joined by another driver who has past experience in Club Challenge: Constantin Scholl. After an extensive test with the EuroNASCAR stock cars at Zolder last year, the German is ready to make his competitive debut in Bremotion’s No. 77 Auto Rehberg Camaro.
Lux Motorsport also had a new driver competing in their No. 21 GT Omega Camaro for EuroNASCAR PRO. Liam Lambert, a former Lux driver in Mini Challenge UK, has rejoined the Scotland-based team to make his stock car racing debut at the high banks of Venray.
Additionally, Marc Goossens is planning to make his return to the No. 72 Race Planet Toyota Camry. The Belgian was absent from the SpeedFest due to a schedule clash with his duties as a mentor to rally superstar Kalle Rovanperä.
EuroNASCAR 2’s grid consists of mostly familiar faces, with the majority of full-time competitors returning to tackle the challenge of the half-mile oval.
Two drivers will make their first EN2 appearance in 2024. The first is Academy’s co-owner Federico Monti, who will replace Cappelli as the driver of the No. 1 HTFX Ford.
The second change will occur at CAAL Racing’s No. 88 Avangarde Group Camaro. With Roberto Benedetti out due to an injured wrist, the Italian team will substitute him with Portuguese driver Miguel Gomes.
Therefore, Gomes will make his first EN2 start since Rijeka in 2022. It’s also set to be the 44-year old driver’s first oval race since his ARCA outing at Daytona with Young’s Motorsports in 2023.
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Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.