The winter saw the arrival of a new team in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series for the 2024 season. Granducato Speed bought the former Bulgarian Team to run the #90 Chevrolet Camaro. The Italian organization found its first driver in Veeti Rajala from Finland, who will make his NASCAR debut in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship. The 17-year-old took part in the official Drivers Recruitment Programme and will take the next step in his racing career.
The youngster is making the transition from karting to touring car racing, but has already gained experience in three German GT races in 2023, where he achieved his goal of finishing in the top-10. Rajala is a promising talent from Finland with more than 100 podium finishes in his karting career, so he has set himself high goals for his first season in Europe’s official NASCAR series.
“I want to finish on the podium and win the Rookie Trophy,” said Rajala after signing with Granducato Speed. “I really love the pure racing in the series and I’m looking forward to my first race.” The student spends a lot of time in the gym to be physically fit for racing and plays all kinds of ball games during the summer for fun. “If you ask me what my best skills are, I’d say I’m fast and a good overtaker,” he said.
Rajala is the first member of his family to take part in motor racing, but the passion for fast cars was passed on to him by his father. “My father owned a lot of sports cars when he was younger,” said Rajala. “I got my first quad bike when I was three and started motocross when I was seven, so my love of motorsport started as a child. My idol, of course, is Kimi Raikkonen.”
It’s not just a debut season for Rajala, but also for Granducato Speed. The team is keen to make their mark in the organization’s first championship campaign and have tested the car in preparation for the new season. While Rajala will compete in EuroNASCAR 2, the team has yet to announce an EuroNASCAR PRO driver.
The 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season will kick off April 13-14 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. All races will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and on many television channels around the world.
NWES PR
