Thomas Krasonis finished the EuroNASCAR race in Valencia with another podium.

The first Greek professional racing driver was second in the EuroNASCAR PRO junior category in Sunday’s race, climbing again on the winners’ podium.

Thomas Krasonis was eighth in the race, having started from 16th on the grid. Following an excellent strategy and avoiding contact with other cars, Krasonis had a very good race, proving that this season started in an ideal way for him and his team, Marko Stipp Motorsport.

In the “2” category race, Thomas Krasonis finished in fifth place, putting Saturday’s misfortune behind him, when he retired on the last lap due to a differential problem in his Chevrolet Camaro.

After completing the first race weekend of the season, Thomas Krasonis is ninth in the PRO class standings with 56 points, while he is third in the junior class standings.

In the EuroNASCAR 2 standings he is 11th with 49 points, due to retiring in Saturday’s race.

The second race of the season is scheduled for the weekend of May 18-19 at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.

During the winter break Thomas Krasonis followed an intensive preparation programme in order to be ready for the new season.

In addition to daily training at a professional level, the preparation included the Greek driver’s participation in the World Series at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, USA. It was Krasoni’s second year in this particular week of racing, with the results attesting to the fact that the work done over the winter was significant, with finishes in the top ten of the races.

At the end of March Thomas was in Belgium and the Zolder circuit, where he conducted testing ahead of the new season.

This was followed by a stint at the Venray oval circuit, where he had the opportunity to drive in the V8 Oval Series and become more familiar with the conditions on this type of circuit.

A year of high expectations

“2024 starts for us with high expectations. The renewal of the partnership with Marko Stipp Motorsport last December was the first step. In the months leading up to it, I worked hard on a daily basis with the experienced team of professional trainers in order to be fully prepared to meet the increased demands of participating in two Championships,” said Thomas Krasonis.

“This year we decided to participate in both EuroNASCAR classes. The reason was twofold. On the one hand, we want to do as many kilometres as possible in order to further improve our racing level. On the other hand, our wish was to have the number 46 race car in its entirety in order to be able to work on the set up more closely, which was not possible while sharing the car with another teammate, racing only in PRO” he added.

“There’s a five-year plan that I’m following with the goal of becoming a NASCAR Cup Series driver in the United States. My team has given me everything I need to fight for my goals, so I have full confidence in them. We have developed a great chemistry with the whole team, and that’s something that helps me a lot,” Thomas Crasonis continued.

The new season brings a number of changes to EuroNASCAR. In a continued effort to provide fans and racers with the best “Pure Racing” experience and entertainment, EuroNASCAR will have the option to increase the length of the race by adding laps completed behind the Safety Car. Thus, an 18-lap race with three laps under the Safety Car will become a 21-lap race. A time limit of 45 minutes +1 lap for EuroNASCAR PRO and 40 minutes + 1 lap for EuroNASCAR 2 has also been added to the races.

In 2024 the oval races return to the schedule, on 29-30 June at Raceway Venray. The half-mile-long Dutch oval will host the NASCAR GP Netherlands for the first time since 2019. The race will count as one round for each championship.

The final part of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season will feature two rounds of double-points playoffs at Oschersleben and Zolder. Double points will be awarded in these four races for each championship.

It should be noted that this year’s EuroNASCAR race cars have been further improved on the technical side in order to be even faster in the corners, while the bonnet louvres and new roof vent will improve temperature management both in the engine compartment and in the cockpit.

Marko Stipp Motorsport has announced the team’s first driver for the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, and it’s Thomas Krasonis.

The German organization has signed Thomas Krasonis, who will not only return to EuroNASCAR PRO, but will also compete in EuroNASCAR 2 at the wheel of the #46 Chevrolet Camaro. The Greek will pull double duty to maximize his track time and compete for titles and trophies in both NWES championships. The 23-year-old is eligible for the Junior Trophy in EuroNASCAR PRO and will be a hot contender for the overall championship in the second division.

“There is a five-year plan that I am following with the goal of becoming a NASCAR Cup Series driver in the USA,” said Krasonis. “This year will be the most challenging for me as I will be competing in both categories while constantly striving for the best results. My team has given me everything I need to fight for my goals, so I have full confidence in them. We have created a great chemistry with the whole crew and this is something that helps me a lot.” Krasonis raced for Marko Stipp Motorsport in EuroNASCAR PRO in 2023 and finished 14th overall and seventh in the Junior Trophy standings.

Team owner Marko Stipp is excited to have Krasonis back on board for the 2024 season: “We are thrilled to extend our contract with Thomas and to feel his full confidence in us. In our first year together we learned a lot and we got close to Thomas and his family. In 2024 we want to take the next step and fight for podiums in both championships.” The German team finished ninth in the team standings with the #48 sister car and twelfth with the #46 Camaro.

The Athens native joined the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2019, and has been constantly improving his driving skills at the wheel of the V8 beasts without any electronic driving aids. Having started in karting and touring cars, the Greek took the step into EuroNASCAR with the aim of making the big step towards the NASCAR Cup Series in the USA. Krasonis was infected with the racing virus as a child when he jumped into a car for the first time in his life and immediately started working on becoming a professional racer. The 23-year-old enjoys the special atmosphere in the NWES paddock with open garages, grid walks and American-themed events in Europe.

Krasonis will be back in action when the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season kicks off on April 13-14 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Marko Stipp Motorsport was the first German organization to join EuroNASCAR, and the entire crew is ready to take the next step and compete for titles after winning the EuroNASCAR 2 Rookie Trophy with Jack Davidson in 2023. With Krasonis in their ranks, the organization has a talented driver ready to take on the fierce competition in both divisions.

Source: EuroNascar.com