The first race of the NASCAR GP Germany for the elite drivers of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was not for the faint of heart: dramas, action, heartbreaks. The complex of the EuroNASCAR PRO championship battle was turned upside down by a dramatic EuroNASCAR PRO Playoffs 1 race. Contact between Vittorio Ghirelli, Liam Hezemans and Paul Jouffreau at the tricky Hotel corner on the first lap opened a great opportunity for Gianmarco Ercoli. The reigning champion climbed from fourth to first and survived numerous challenges to earn his first victory of the season – the ninth of his career – and reignite his aspiration for back-to-back titles in EuroNASCAR’s top division.
NASCAR GP GERMANY LINKS: INFO & TICKETS | SCHEDULE | ENTRY LIST | LIVE TIMING | WATCH LIVEEuroNASCAR PRO: Ghirelli continues perfect Qualifying Pole Position Award streak
“The feeling’s good and I’m happy to be back in first position at the end of the race!” said the driver of the #54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet Camaro in Victory Lane. “After a really hard month, the team worked hard to give me the best car in the Semi Finals. I’m very happy, this year has been terrible because it’s been hard to show all the potential of the team but day by day, with the correct mentality I could focus on the goal and get the result! Congratulations to the team and all of my sponsors.”
Contact between Ghirelli, who started on pole position, and Jouffreau, who started right behind, sent the Italian off the track in the opening lap. Hezemans also got involved when he dove deep in the first chicane on his #50 Hendriks Motorsport Toyota and found himself at the very back of the pack. Ghirelli then mounted a strong comeback, but faced further adversity due to a contact with Liam Lambert on lap 4 that briefly sent the #24 PK Carsport Chevrolet Camaro off track again. In the end, the Italian charged back to eighth and will start Sunday’s EuroNASCAR PRO Playoffs 2 race on pole position thanks to the fastest lap.
After running wide in the opening lap, Hezemans also had to make his own comeback. However, the Dutchman also made another mistake that resulted in him only finishing 13th. Nevertheless, he clocked a fast lap that will give him a strong starting position for Sunday. Jouffreau initially escaped the melee without any problem and challenged Ercoli for the victory, but the Frenchman was handed a 30-second penalty after the race that dropped the RDV Competition driver to eleventh.
The incident between Ghirelli, Hezemans and Jouffreau was the talking point of the start, but it wasn’t the only drama that took place there. Fifth place starter Marc Goossens made a false start and received a five-second time penalty. The Belgian crossed the finish line in third, but he lost the top-3 finish due to the penalty. Lucas Lasserre was the lucky recipient and earned a ticket to second position, the Frenchman once again showed why he’s “Mr. Consistency” and can never be counted out.
Martin Doubek completed the podium ahead of Ulysse Delsaux, who took his career-best EuroNASCAR PRO finishing position in fourth. Goossens was classified in fifth ahead of Ryan Vargas, who took the first Junior Trophy win of his career, and Sebastiaan Bleekemolen. Thomas Krasonis failed to set a lap time in Qualifying due to a mechanical issue, but with fresh tires for the race the Greek advanced all the way to the top-10 and secured the eight bonus points for the most positions gained. The Greek Marko Stipp Motorsport driver is also second in the Junior Trophy.
The Challenger Trophy was led by Riccardo Romagnoli in tenth, who also made up a lot of places starting from 22nd on the grid. Dario Caso and Max Lanza completed the top-3 positions in the special classification for elite amateurs. Jouffreau’s eleventh place result was still enough for third in the Junior Trophy.
Ghirelli’s comeback drive gave him just enough points to fend off fellow Italian Ercoli in the overall standings. With 341 points, Ghirelli is three points ahead of Ercoli, demonstrating how much things can change in just one race. Jouffreau’s penalty dropped the Frenchman down to third, but he is still the overall leader of the Junior Trophy ahead of Hezemans. Lasserre completed the top-5 with Max Lanza continuing to lead the Challenger Trophy in 14th.
The Playoffs have started on an intense note, but it’s not over as EuroNASCAR PRO drivers will be back on Sunday for the Playoffs 2 race. In the meantime, Saturday’s festivities will continue with Playoffs 1 for EuroNASCAR 2, which will be broadcasted at 16:50 CEST live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and several TV networks from all around the world.
EuroNASCAR PRO Results | EuroNASCAR 2 Results
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