Sebastian Roiko expressed his excitement following his EuroNASCAR Rookie Challenge debut at Autodrom Most, as told in his interview with Nina Weinbrenner.
Finnish debutant Sebastian Roiko expressed his enjoyment in being able to participate in the NASCAR Euro Series in his interview with EuroNASCAR photographer Nina Weinbrenner.
Roiko made his EuroNASCAR debut in Rookie Challenge during the 2025 NASCAR GP Czech Republic.
He drove Hendriks Motorsport’s No. 17 Ford Mustang, the two-seater car that was prepared by Hendriks and Team FJ for Czech President Petr Pavel during Pavel’s presidential visit to Autodrom Most on Thursday of the race weekend.
The interview, which was published on 8 September 2025, saw Nina interview Roiko shortly after Roiko completed his first official laps in the EuroNASCAR stock cars.
“It felt quite nice,” said Roiko on his debut. “It was a bit difficult, but it was an important learning experience and I enjoyed every single moment.”
Roiko stated that he got inspired to become an EuroNASCAR driver after a life changing event in Daytona.
According to Weinbrenner, Roiko took part in a NASCAR Racing Experience session at Daytona in March and earned his national racing license just two months later.
“There have been quite some challenges in my life,” expressed Roiko. “I had to deal with burnout and these kinds of mental health issues. But I’ve managed to overcome all of that.”
“We had a family business which we lost, and then I went to the US to drive a NASCAR car [at Daytona] and with that help I got my seat in this series. My story is that life challenges you, it can go up and down, but I made my way.”
Roiko is currently working to secure the funding to make a return in the NASCAR GP Germany, which is scheduled to be held on 20-21 September at Motorsport Arena Oschersbelen.
Roiko hopes that one day he’ll be able to achieve his dream of competing in an official event at Daytona.
“My goal is to be back again in Oschersleben,” said Roiko. “That’s what I want and of course my dream is to be back in Daytona again. It’s where I started my NASCAR journey and I want to race there one day.”
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.