HPM executive Giovanni Cartechini is set to make his EuroNASCAR debut as the PRO driver of CAAL Racing’s revived No. 54 team.
Giovanni Cartechini had been present in the NASCAR Euro Series paddock as a representative for Italian company Hydraulic Performance Machines (HPM), who has sponsored CAAL Racing since the 2023 season.
However, things will be different for 2026. Not only will Cartechini continue to represent HPM, the 29-year old will also be in the driver’s seat at CAAL Racing’s revived No. 54 team.
Cartechini announced his decision to race in EuroNASCAR on 21 February 2026, where he will be going straight to EuroNASCAR PRO – NASCAR Euro Series’ top division.
“Sponsors typically support teams and drivers and naturally seek a return on their investment,” announced EuroNASCAR. “But sometimes, the path to the track takes an unexpected turn, as is the case for Giovanni Cartechini.”
“The 29-year-old was initially involved with CAAL Racing as a partner with his company HPM and he got a taste of the Pure Racing action in the NASCAR Euro Series.”
“He was hooked, and the Recanati native will now make his NASCAR debut in the 2026 season, piloting the #54 entry in the PRO championship.”
Giovanni Cartechini is one of the four sons of Giuseppe Cartechini, the founder of HPM. Giuseppe, along with Giovanni and his three brothers Giacomo, Simone and Michele worked together to establish HPM as a “family-owned company global leaders in drilling rigs manufacturing”.
HPM worked together with Caterpillar to produce 20 variant of drilling rigs that are available on a pre-order basis, ranging from the relatively small HPM B55 Short – which already weighs 24.5 tons – to the heavy duty HPM 250.
As previously mentioned, HPM has been present in EuroNASCAR since 2023. That year, HPM adorned the side of Marc Goossens and Sven van Laere’s colorful No. 56 Chevrolet Camaro as a secondary sponsor.
HPM then became the primary sponsor of CAAL’s flagship No. 54 Camaro in 2024. They were given significant air time, thanks in part to the driver that they sponsored: Then-newly crowned EuroNASCAR PRO champion Gianmarco Ercoli.
They became secondary sponsors to the team again in 2025, adorning the sides of the No. 11 Ford Mustang fielded by CAAL’s technical partners Alumitec Racing.
With Alumitec bringing Ercoli with them as part of their plans to go independent in 2026, Cartechini decided that the upcoming season is the right time for him to move up to EuroNASCAR.
Cartechini had been preparing his upcoming move by making his full-time racing debut in Legend Cars Italia in 2025.
After finishing 12th in the standings and winning the championship in the Semi-Pro category, Cartechini felt that he’s ready to step up to the big leagues.
“After starting as a sponsor for CAAL Racing, I truly began to appreciate the world of motorsports as a spectator at the NASCAR Euro Series events,” said Cartechini to nascar.eu.
“Driven by the goal of becoming a NASCAR driver, I challenged myself in the 2025 Legend Cars Italy championship as a training ground. Finishing 12th overall out of 64 entries and first in the Semi-Pro category was a significant milestone.”
“Now, I am finally making a dream come true, becoming a PRO category driver in the NASCAR Euro Series! I want to thank CAAL Racing and the NASCAR Euro Series organization for giving me this incredible opportunity.”
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.