Our first Race Preview for the 2024 EuroNASCAR Finals takes a look at the changes that had been announced in the Provisional Entry List for Circuit Zolder.
The last pages of the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season will be written this week. After six rounds full of twists and turns, the series will end its 2024 season with the ever-exciting EuroNASCAR Finals at Circuit Zolder.
Zolder is one of EuroNASCAR’s calendar mainstays, having run uninterrupted since its inaugural event in 2015 and is now set to host the Finals for a record eighth time.
Open wheels and sportscars have a storied history at Zolder, but the work done by the late Nathalie Maillet has allowed the historic Belgian circuit to flourish and become one of the main hubs of European stock car racing.
Thousands of fans will come to Heusden-Zolder to witness their stock car heroes, of which there’s plenty to choose from a pool of 30 teams and 49 drivers that are listed on the Provisional Entry List across all three divisions.
With 30 teams entered, the grand finale for the 2024 EuroNASCAR season will have EuroNASCAR’s largest field size since the Vallelunga round of 2023.
26 out of 27 teams that took part at Oschersleben will make its return, with the one missing party being the No. 66 Race Planet Team Bleekemolen of Thomas Dombrowski.
There is, however, a reason why the team is absent. That’s because Dombrowski will lend his car number to PK Carsport, who will use No. 66 for the car spearheaded by the returning Anthony Kumpen.
It should be noted that this entry will not use Dombrowski’s No. 66 Rellumix Camaro. Instead, it will use PK’s own second chassis, which has been used for testing purposes ever since it last competed in the hands of Alon Day at the 2022 Rijeka finale.
Despite this, Team Bleekemolen will maintain the four-car squad that they have all-season for Zolder by adding a third Toyota Camry in their fleet. Carrying number 68, this Toyota will be driven by debutant Andres Beers in EuroNASCAR 2.
Returning to the grid is Team Japan Needs24, with Kenko Miura making his first appearance since the American SpeedFest back in June.
EuroNASCAR organizers Team FJ will also field their own entry for the first time. Labeled as the EuroNASCAR Test Team, the French organization will enter the No. 25 Chevrolet Camaro to test parts that will be introduced next year.
A total of 25 drivers are set to contest the EuroNASCAR PRO races. Many drivers returned from Oschersleben, but Kumpen will not be the only driver returning to the grid at Zolder.
Julien Rehberg is back to do double duty onboard Bremotion’s No. 77 Auto Rehberg Camaro, but the real surprise is the return of Frédéric Gabillon as part of Team FJ’s entry.
Gabillon, whose record for the most starts in ENPRO was recently tied by Gianmarco Ercoli at Oschersleben, will ensure that his record will stay just a little longer by helping Team FJ to test their car of the future.
In EuroNASCAR 2, 25 drivers will be contesting an event that could see the crowning of the junior division’s first multiple time champion.
All but Giovanni Faraonio and Gordon Barnes will make a return from Oschersleben. There are also two other competitors that will join Beers and Miura in the list of debuting and/or returning drivers.
The first is Roberto Benedetti, returning as Max Lanza’s teammate at CAAL Racing’s No. 88 Avangarde Group Camaro.
The Italian suffered a hand injury at Brands Hatch and had to take multiple months of absence. A Club Challenge test at Oschersleben produced a result positive enough that doctors have given him the green light to be back on the grid.
The second is Arthur Roche, son of Pierre Roche. Pierre is long associated with Team FJ’s rally program and Arthur, enamored with motorsport since a kid, followed his father’s footsteps and joined him in rallying at the age of 18.
Currently 20 years old, Arthur’s first EuroNASCAR outing will see him act as Gabillon’s teammate at Team FJ’s “skunkworks” entry.
Seven competitors are set to compete for points in EuroNASCAR Club Challenge. Bruno Costa makes a return after he missed the previous round, but Edouard Fatio will not take part.
Club Challenge is currently led by Reza Sardeha, who has an 18-point lead over Federico Monti. Both drivers are expected to be the strongest contenders for the title, with drivers like Andreas Kuchelbacher and Gordon Barnes needing a miracle to have a realistic chance.
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.
Last Updated: 3 December 2024