One of the most promising title contenders in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has decided to switch teams for the 2024 EuroNASCAR PRO season: Vittorio Ghirelli. The Italian will join Anthony Kumpen’s PK Carsport to drive the #24 Chevrolet Camaro in Europe’s official NASCAR series. The Fasano native was one of the hottest title contenders in the 2023 season with two race wins to his credit. The 2020 EuroNASCAR 2 Champion is looking to take the next step and win the beautiful Tijey trophy.
A former AutoGP champion and GP2 racer, Ghirelli joined EuroNASCAR in 2019 when he was already racing for PK Carsport in the EuroNASCAR 2 Championship. The 29-year-old then made the move to Hendriks Motorsport the following year and won the title in the second division. After joining the EuroNASCAR PRO grid, Ghirelli became a fierce title contender and had a chance to win the championship in 2023 with Team Bleekemolen, but was edged out by fellow countryman Gianmarco Ercoli at the Finals in Zolder.
As a four-time EuroNASCAR PRO championship winning team, PK Carsport from Belgium has what it takes to compete at the top of the highly competitive EuroNASCAR PRO grid. The #24 Chevrolet Camaro has been the foundation of their championship runs, two with Kumpen on board and two with NWES’ most successful driver, Alon Day. Ghirelli has known the team since its start in the series in 2019 and is ready to write another chapter for the EuroNASCAR history books.
“I just love the tens of thousands of fans and the great racing in EuroNASCAR,” said Ghirelli of his comeback with PK Carsport. “Last season I came very close to winning the EuroNASCAR PRO title. This year is going to be mine for sure! I will do whatever it takes to win the title and become a European NASCAR Champion. I’m happy that oval racing is back because I had a great win during my oval racing debut at Raceway Venray. This is certainly one of my best memories.”
In his day job, Ghirelli is the co-founder and CCO of an event company in Italy. In addition to organizing weddings, events and parties, the 29-year-old is focused on being in perfect shape for the 2024 season. A serious competitor who is totally focused, always short on words and rarely laughing, Ghirelli keeps his physical and mental fitness at a high level. He studies the tracks centimeter by centimeter and knows every bump, every turn and every curb like the back of his hand. His professional preparation and detailed feedback are for sure the ingredients of his success.
PK Carsport Team Principal Kumpen is confident that one of the most successful cars in EuroNASCAR history is in good hands with Ghirelli taking over. The Chevrolet Camaro has been the foundation for four EuroNASCAR PRO title wins – two with Kumpen, two with Alon Day as the drivers. It’s a record that Ghirelli wants to improve upon. Kumpen is busy being a team manager, coaching his son, who’s a factory kart driver, and running his own racing program. As a result, the Belgian has decided to scale back his EuroNASCAR program to part-time for two to three events in the 2024 season.
Ghirelli is looking to dominate the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, which kicks 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 numerous television networks around the world.