Preview Whelen Euro Series: Zolder

NWES Season reaches culmination with titles and trophies on the line

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is approaching its grand final at Circuit Zolder for the third year and uncertainty rules supreme across the two divisions of the European NASCARChampionship.

Four drivers – Alon Day, Borja Garcia, Anthony Kumpen and Frederic Gabillon – are still in contention for the NWES title as the season reaches its culmination with Day chasing his first European championship after a stellar performance in the Semi Finals that propelled him at the top of the standings with 37 points on the rest of the field. Thomas Ferrando enters the NASCAR GP Of Belgium with a solid grip on the ELITE 2 title thanks to his 72-points advantage on arch-rival Ulysse Delsaux, but with double points on the line and a record for the most wins in a season to tie, the Knauf Racing driver will not take a conservative approach.

The battle for Trophies and Cups is so close that it’s impossible to predict the outcome of the last event of the season in any category. From the Junior Trophy to the Lady Cup, no driver will rest easy in Belgium.

The third edition of the Euro NASCAR Finals at Circuit Zolder promises to be unforgettable not only for exciting show on track, but also for the spectacular trackside attraction attractions of an event that grows more popular every year!

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ELITE 1 Division

Five Zolder winners – Five drivers have won previously at Zolder. Alon Day, Anthony Kumpen and Frederic Gabillon won in ELITE 1, while Gianmarco Ercoli and Stienes Longin grabbed the win in ELITE 2. Day scored the most poles with two.

Four drivers for the Junior Trophy – A mere 16 points separate Junior Trophy contenders Salvador Tineo Arroyo, Stienes Longin, Gianmarco Ercoli and Thomas Ferrando in one of the closest battles for the trophy dedicated to drivers aged 25 and under in NWES history.

Eric Helary returns – 2011 NWES Champion and 24 Hours Of Le Mans winner Eric Helary will make his Euro NASCAR return at the wheel of the #27 Whelen Ford Mustang fielded by the Alex Caffi Motorsport team. Together with Anthony Kumpen and Lucas Lasserre, Helary will be the third NWES champion on the grid in Zolder and will race against his former teammate Christophe Bouchut, with whom he won the 1993 24H hours of Le Mans.

It’s #NASCARPlayoffs time Europe! Who is going to be the 2017 #NWES Champion? @Alon_Day @BorjaGarciaGT @AnthonyKumpen or @FredGabillon ?

— EuroNASCAR (@EuroNASCAR) 9 ottobre 2017

ELITE 2 Division

Parity across the field  – Despite having a clear leader entering the Finals, the ELITE 2 Division is more uncertain than ever thanks to its mix of young talents and experienced veterans: 8 drivers led at least one lap before Zolder and a record-setting 15 drivers scored at least one top-5.

Rookies under the spotlight –  The 2017 rookie class is full of talented drivers and three of them will battle for the Rookie Cup in the Zolder Finals, separated by just 13 points. Two-time race winner Felipe Rabello leads Maciej Dreszer and Guillaume Dumarey.

Legend Trophy a matter for four – The battle for the Trophy dedicated to drivers aged 40 and over is going down to the wire, with four drivers encompassed in 13 points. Mishumotor’s Mirco Schultis leads 2016 trophy winner Jerry De Weerdt, Simone Laureti and Arianna Casoli, who’s also chasing Carmen Boix Gil in the Lady Cup.

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