Academy Motorsport’s co-owner Federico Monti admits that he “couldn’t pass up” the opportunity to race the 2025 American SpeedFest in EuroNASCAR PRO.
Federico Monti will have a temporary new gig for this week’s American SpeedFest 12. Academy Motorsport’s co-owner steps up to EuroNASCAR PRO for one more time as the substitute driver for Marc Goossens.
Goossens joined Monti’s team Academy during the off-season, acting as the lead EuroNASCAR PRO driver and mentor in the No. 1 Ford Mustang. However, “The Goose” was unable to compete in SpeedFest due to a clash of commitments.
Outside of his driving duties, Goossens acts as the team manager for Belgian sports car team RedAnt Racing. His priority for RedAnt takes priority and for this weekend, RedAnt’s Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux team is also competing at Zandvoort.
This situation had already taken place in 2024, where Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux and EuroNASCAR had the exact same clash.
Naturally, this opened a vacancy to fill in Academy’s No. 1 team. With Monti already having past EuroNASCAR PRO experience in 2021 and 2022, the decision was taken by the team to have their team boss race in the top class for one more time.
”I couldn’t pass up this opportunity,” Monti said in Academy’s official pre-race press release. “Since the Rookie [Challenge] is not competing here at Brands Hatch and Marc Goosens won’t be there for work commitments, I immediately took advantage of this opportunity to race on a circuit that I love.”
“Brands Hatch is one of the most spectacular race weekends on the calendar and I get the chance to compete with some exceptional drivers.”
“I’m ready for fire and flames, but most of all I want to have fun and enjoy it to the fullest. The team has been working hard to better prepare for this appointment.”
Monti will be joined by Academy’s two other full-time drivers, Claudio Remigio Cappelli and Andres Beers. Cappelli and Beers will stay in their respective rides for the SpeedFest.
“The objective is to be more focused and not repeat some mistakes made at Vallelunga, where I let the results get away with me,” said Cappelli.
“Brands Hatch is like Monte Carlo without houses, where it is essential to compete for a good qualification. I’m confident in the optimal set up we have this year that will surely help to achieve a good result.”
“We’ll also see how the weather will make conditions for the weekend. My target is at least one podium in two races”.
“This race weekend I will have to learn different strategies on my own,” Beers said. “Without Marc’s expert guidance, I will have to test myself.”
“I have trained very much at the simulator to learn the track. On Friday during the Free Practice we will have a way to fine-tune the right strategy.”
Tickets for the 2025 American SpeedFest can be purchased at SpeedFest’s official website.
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