Thomas Krasonis is European Champion!

Thomas Krasonis is European Champion in the OPEN category of the NASCAR Euro Series! The 23-year-old driver is the first Greek to win the title in a European motorsport championship, fulfilling a dream that began six years ago. A dream that may have seemed distant at the time, but is now a tangible reality, the likes of which Greek motorsports has never seen before!

Thomas Krasonis did exactly what he had to do in Sunday’s OPEN class race at the Zolder circuit in Belgium, responding perfectly to the increased demands of the race and climbing to the third step of the podium, mathematically securing a title that he had had within his grasp since Saturday afternoon, when he won the first race of the two-day NASCAR Euro Series finals. The winner of the last race of the season was Martin Doubek, who finished the year with 511 points, 33 fewer than the 544 points accumulated by champion Thomas Krasonis.

“Six years ago, when my father, my late uncle Thomas, and I came up with the idea of participating in the NASCAR Euro Series, I never dared to think that one day I would be European Champion. Now it’s a reality!” were the first words of the first Greek racing driver to win the European Championship. He continued: “It all starts with family. Because before Thomas the driver, before the first victories, before the first successes, there was the son, the grandson, the nephew, the brother Thomas. So, family was, is, and will always be my support. Then there were some of my father’s friends who believed in what we were doing. And, of course, in recent years, Costamare, the first company that believed in me and in the project we presented, wanted to be the one to contribute to the creation of the first Greek champion who would have the potential to compete at an international level. Also, Dodoni, which has been with me since the end of last season, as well as the Medical Center Group. And, of course, my team, PK Carsport, which gave me an incredible car all year long, stable, fast, reliable, and I thank them for trusting me because it’s not easy when you’re a champion team to trust a new driver and open the door for him. I think my performance proved to them that I’m here to stay. And of course, I want to thank my trainer, Paul Tyba, who has done a tremendous job over the last two years in helping me develop my athletic physique. Finally, my coach, Alon Day, a born champion, who has made me what I am today.”

“I am very happy for Thomas! He did an amazing job this year. He was completely dedicated to what he was doing, and his hard work paid off. I honestly have no words! I am very grateful to PK Carsport for the opportunity they gave us. They trusted Thomas almost without knowing him and, as a top team, they did everything they could to always provide him with the best car. And he responded, which makes me very proud. This is just the beginning,” emphasized Thomas’ coach and NSASCAR Euro Series multiple champion Alon Day, saying in fluent Greek: “The best is yet to come.” He added: “It is undoubtedly much more difficult to win the title as a coach because I don’t control the car and I am more nervous than I was as a driver when I won titles.”

PK Carsport owner Anthony Koumpen said: “I am very happy for Thomas! What he has achieved is not easy. It is not simple to become a NASCAR champion. It is a form of racing, like Formula 1, that everyone knows about. I am very proud of Thomas and the fact that he became the first Greek racing driver to become European Champion in such a difficult championship. We met for the first time last year at the season finals and he shared his vision with me. I told him that if he wanted to become a champion, he had to come to us. Congratulations to everyone who supports him, his coach Alon Day, his sponsors who are extremely important to him, and I believe that Thomas has a bright future in racing.”

Finally, Thomas’s trainer, Paul Timpas, emphasized: “Thomas is an athlete who, when he came to me two years ago, had one main goal: to become a champion. Every day, he overcomes any difficulty that comes his way, because racing is a lonely sport. But with faith in the plan and the support of all his sponsors and those around him, and with his main characteristic being the will to succeed, he managed to transform his body into a machine capable of performing for long periods of time, under the difficult conditions of NASCAR races, with high pressure, temperatures, and loud noises. He constantly improved his physical condition and today he is the European Champion! And we experience unique moments by his side. I am very moved and feel a sense of relief at the successful outcome of all this effort. It is unique to have the first Greek racing driver to win the European Championship by your side”.

In the PRO race, which brought the season to a close, Thomas retired in the second lap after being hit by Liam Hezemans. The winner was Vittorio Ghirelli, who won his second consecutive PRO title and made it “2 out of 2” for PK Carsport in 2025.

Thomas Krasonis competed in both categories of the NASCAR Euro Series this year, PRO and OPEN, driving the Chevrolet Camaro with the number “13” for the top team in the Championship, Belgian PK Carsport, in all races.

Thomas Krasonis’ efforts in the NASCAR Euro Series are supported by Costamare Shipping Company and Dodoni Dairy, while medical coverage is provided by the Athens Medical Group.