NASCAR GP Italy – Jouffreau goes toe-to-toe with PK Carsport duo Ghirelli and Krasonis in PRO title race
The 2025 NASCAR GP Italy at Autodromo di Vallelunga saw not only two thrilling races in NASCAR Euro Series’ top PRO division, but also the continuation of the thrilling championship battle that started at the season opener in Valencia. Paul Jouffreau of RDV Competition became the new leader with his win on Saturday, but PK Carsport’s Vittorio Ghirelli kept himself close to the Frenchman’s back bumper with a popular home victory on Sunday. The Italian’s teammate Thomas Krasonis scored important points and kept the gap between the three drivers by just four points.
Jouffreau was dominant in Saturday’s Round 3, claiming his second win of 2025 from pole position. A sixth place on Sunday was not what the Frenchman had hoped for, but the points he collected were enough to maintain his lead with 145 points scored so far. Ghirelli vowed to fight back in his home NASCAR GP and proceeded to fulfill his promise with a podium on Saturday and a win in Round 4. With 142 points, the defending champion leads the PK Carsport charge ahead of teammate Krasonis, whose podium on Sunday was important for his championship hopes.
Gianmarco Ercoli scored Alumitec Racing’s first top-3 finish on Saturday and has therefore moved into fourth place in the title race. Consistency and a good recovery brought Sebastiaan Bleekemolen to the top-5 ahead of two fast youngsters: Garrett Lowe and Liam Hezemans. Sim racer Lowe continues to impress the EuroNASCAR paddock with his fast adaptation to the real world of motorsport, while Hezemans bounced back after suspension issues cost the Dutchman vital points on Saturday.
Vladimiros Tziortzis, Fabrizio Armetta and Martin Doubek completed the top-10 after two strong races in Italy. Yvan Muller and Julien Rehberg were set back by their inability to compete on Sunday due to their cars’ involvement in a big crash on Saturday’s OPEN race. Fast veterans Marc Goossens, Giorgio Maggi and Ulysse Delsaux still had a tough start to 2025 and are looking to make some improvements in the next round in the UK.
Brands Hatch’s crown jewel round, the NASCAR GP UK, will be the next battleground for the EuroNASCAR gladiators. The ever popular American SpeedFest is expected to attract even more fans and spectacle to its highly applauded festivals, headlined by two PRO and OPEN races that are scheduled for June 7-8. Be sure to tune in to EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and TV channels around the world to watch the action live.
