Michael Bleekemolen, EuroNASCAR’s oldest driver, will have a surprise promotion to the top class with his family outfit Team Bleekemolen.
Michael Bleekemolen is set for perhaps the unlikeliest promotion to EuroNASCAR PRO in history. The 75-year old Dutchman will join his son Sebastiaan in the top class for the upcoming 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season.
Michael’s promotion to PRO was revealed when Team Bleekemolen unveiled their full roster on 9 March 2025. Team Bleekemolen will field only the No. 69 and No. 72 teams for 2025, down from the four-car squad that they have in 2024.
Michael will replace Marc Goossens as the new PRO driver of the No. 72 car. His place in EuroNASCAR OPEN is taken by rookie Bruno Mulders. Mulders will make his full-time debut after his participation in the January EuroNASCAR Recruitment Tests.
“I’m thrilled to start the next chapter of my motorsport career in the NASCAR Euro Series with Team Bleekemolen!” said Michael to nascar.eu. “I can hardly wait for the start of the season in Valencia.”
Team Bleekemolen’s No. 69 car will have Sebastiaan Bleekemolen and Melvin de Groot as their drivers for 2025. It meant that the same driver line-up that they have for the past three seasons will be retained.
Sebastiaan Bleekemolen aims to avenge his poor 2024 season away, while Melvin de Groot wants to finally visit the Victory Lane after numerous near misses.
“2024 was my worst season so far, with two terrible crashes and no podiums,” said Sebastiaan to nascar.eu. “It honestly was a year to forget.”
“The good thing was that we had enough speed, so I’m confident for the new season. The sequential gearbox update could also make racing with the car even more competitive.”
“Melvin missed out on the Legend Trophy title last year after winning it in 2022 and 2023. It felt unexpected not to win it.”
“There is a lot of confidence to at least win this Trophy again in 2025, but the goal is the overall OPEN championship. We have a good car and crew and have shown in the past that there is enough speed.”
The announcement also confirms the dissolution of Team Bleekemolen’s No. 11 and No. 66 entries. The No. 66 team is shut down following Thomas Dombrowski’s departure to PK Carsport.
Given the circumstances of Dombrowski’s departure where he brought the No. 66 with him, it is safe to say that PK’s No. 13 team effectively is the continuation of Bleekemolen’s No. 66 car.
The No. 11 team, primarily driven by Reza Sardeha, also closed its doors for 2025. When we reached Sardeha to ask his status, the Iranian-born Dutchman revealed that he will sit out the season due to business matters.
“My company anyone.com goes live in April and it needs my full attention,” Sardeha said. “Later down the road when things are settled. I might join a race or two, but for now I’m looking for a comeback in the 2026 season!”
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