Ο Θωμάς Κρασώνης έτοιμος για το ντεμπούτο του στο NASCAR USA

Μετά από το πέρας των εντατικών δοκιμών στη Φλόριντα των ΗΠΑ, ο Θωμάς Κρασώνης είναι έτοιμος για το αγωνιστικό του ντεμπούτο στην άλλη πλευρά του Ατλαντικού.

Το πρώτο μεγάλο βήμα για την απόβαση στις ΗΠΑ έγινε.

Ο Θωμάς Κρασώνης ταξίδεψε στις αρχές Νοέμβρη στη Φλόριντα, για να δοκιμάσει για πρώτη φορά το νέο του stock car, με στόχο την προετοιμασία για τους αγώνες σε οβάλ στους οποίους θα αγωνίζεται από το 2023 στην Αμερική.

Μέσα στη διάρκεια των δοκιμών, ο 21χρονος οδηγός σημείωσε πάνω από 250 γύρους, στην προσπάθειά του να εξοικειωθεί με τις ιδιαίτερες απαιτήσεις των αγώνων σε οβάλ, οδηγώντας ένα αυτοκίνητο προδιαγραφών NASCAR.

Το θετικό για τον ίδιο είναι πως έχει αρκετή εμπειρία από το EuroNASCAR που οδηγούσε επί 3 χρόνια, οπότε η μετάβαση στο νέο, πιο ισχυρό και πιο ελαφρύ stock car ήταν ομαλή.

Ο νεαρός οδηγός δήλωσε μετά το τεστ:

«Ώρα για ανασύνταξη και σωστή προετοιμασία για τις επόμενες αγωνιστικές κινήσεις.

«Επόμενο βήμα: Η συμμετοχή μου στο World Series race week στην πίστα New Smyrna στις αρχές Φεβρουαρίου, με σκοπό την εξοικείωση σε οβάλ πίστες.

«Το 2023 εύχομαι να αποδειχθεί χρονιά σταθμός στην αγωνιστική μου καριέρα με δεδομένη την πρώτη και μοναδική Ελληνική συμμετοχή για πρώτη φορά στα χρονικά στις κατηγορίες του NASCAR USA.

«Ραντεβού λοιπόν το Φεβρουάριο στη Φλόριντα με μεγάλη Ελληνική αποστολή με πραγματικούς φίλους και ανθρώπους που με αγαπάνε και με στηρίζουν.»

Thomas Krasonis to race in the US and the NASCAR series from 2023

Dear friends,

After 12 years of racing in Europe, I’m delighted to announce the next step in my career.

My performance and the results I had after 3 years in the EuroNASCAR series have given me the opportunity to make the next step in my career, crossing the Atlantic Ocean and becoming the first Greek driver to race at the pro category of the USA NASCAR series.

WHELEN EURO SERIES chose me and one more European driver to promote us and give us the chance to compete against the biggest names of the sport for the next few years. From 2023 onward, I will be racing in the US, with the ultimate goal being my participation in the senior category of NASCAR, called NASCAR CUP SERIES. Early November I will be doing my first test in American soil, in Florida, in order to be ready to compete in the first three races in February 2023.

During the first year, I will be competing in specific races in the ARCA and NASCAR TRUCK SERIES, which are sub-divisions of the main NASCAR championship, in order to get familiar with racing in the oval.

I would like to thank once more certain people who I respect and I think have played a massive role in my development as a person and as a driver. First of all, I would like to thank Charis Bourothanasopoulos and Stamatis Katsimis, because they have been by my side and have helped me with their knowledge and expertise in racing, helping me reach the racing level I am at today. Furthermore, I would like to thank Stamatis Lenis and his team, because they have helped my physical condition these years I have been abroad, applying what I learnt from them during our gym sessions.

I would like to also thank Giannis-Marios Papadopoulos and the crew at COSMOTE TV who have helped me since day 1, promoting and showcasing my racing endeavours, starting from 2016.

Finally, I would like to thank all those unspoken supporters and my family who are always by my side and help me from the moment I started this journey.

I am very excited that the effort I put all these years have paid dividents, and I am extremely proud that I am going to be the first representative of the Greek motorsport community in the US.

Thank you for your support and I promise you that I will continue climbing up the ladder until I reach my final destination.

Next stop: Florida.

Ο Θωμάς Κρασώνης θα αγωνίζεται στην Αμερική και το NASCAR από το 2023

Αγαπητοί φίλοι,

Μετά απο 12 χρονια αγωνιστικής παρουσίας στις πίστες της Ευρώπης είμαι πολύ χαρούμενος να ανακοινώσω το επόμενο βήμα στην καριέρα μου.

Η παρουσία, τα αποτελέσματα και οι επιδόσεις που είχα τα τελευταια 3 χρόνια στο EuroNASCAR μου έδωσαν την ευκαιρία να κάνω το επόμενο βήμα και να περάσω στην άλλη μεριά του Ατλαντικού και να γίνω ο πρώτος Ελληνας οδηγός που θα αγωνιστεί στις επαγγελματικές κατηγορίες του USA NASCAR.

Το WHELEN EURO SERIES επέλεξε να με προωθήσει μαζί με έναν άλλο Ευρωπαίο οδηγό και συναθλητη μου και να μου δώσει την ευκαιρία να ανταγωνιστώ όλα τα μεγάλα ονόματα του αθλήματος τα επόμενα χρόνια. Από τη νεα σεζόν θα αγωνίζομαι στην Αμερική με στόχο το απολυτό που είναι η συμμετοχή μου στην μεγάλη κατηγορία του NASCAR το επονομαζόμενο NASCAR CUP SERIES. Αρχές Νοέμβρη θα κάνω τις πρώτες μου δοκιμές σε Αμερικάνικο έδαφος και συγκεκριμένα στην Φλόριντα με στόχο να είμαι έτοιμος για τους πρώτους τρείς αγώνες στους οποιους θα λάβω μέρος το Φεβρουάριο.

Την πρώτη χρονιά θα τρέξω σε επιλεγμένους αγώνες στα πρωταθλήματα ARCA και NASCAR Truck series που είναι υποκατηγορίες του μεγάλου πρωταθλήματος ωστε να εξοικιωθώ με τις oval πίστες και τους αγώνες στην Αμερική.

Με βάση το παραπάνω βήμα θα ήθελα ακόμα μια φορά να ευχαριστήσω ορισμένους ανθρώπους τους οποίους σέβομαι και θεωρώ οτι έχουν παίξει μεγάλο ρόλο στην εξέλιξη που έχω και σαν άνθρωπος και σαν οδηγός. Αρχικά ευχαριστώ τους Χάρη Μπουροθανασόπουλο και Σταματη Κατσίμη που στάθηκαν δίπλα μου με στήριξαν και μου μετέφεραν τις αγωνιστικές τους γνώσεις φέρνοντας με στο επίπεδο που βρίσκομαι σήμερα. Έπειτα θα ήθελα να πω ενα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ στον Σταμάτη Λένη και την ομάδα του καθως τα τελευταια χρόνια που ζω στο εξωτερικο προσέχω τη φυσική μου κατασταση με βάση αυτά που έζησα και έμαθα μέσα απο τις προπονήσεις που έκανα μαζί του.

Επίσης, θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τον Γιάννη Μάριο Παπαδόπουλο και όλη την ομάδα της COSMOTE TV που στάθηκαν δίπλα μου από την πρώτη στιγμή σε αυτή την πορεία και προβάλουν πάντα την προσπάθεια μου ξεκινώντας από την Αγγλία το 2016 έως και σήμερα.

Τέλος, ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ στους αφανείς συμπαραστάτες της προσπάθειας αυτής και στην οικογένεια μου που είναι πάντα δίπλα μου και πιστεύει σε εμένα απο την αρχή αυτου του ταξιδιού.

Είμαι πολύ χαρούμενος που οι προσπάθειες μου όλα αυτα τα χρόνια ανταμείφτηκαν και αισθάνομαι μεγάλη υπερηφάνεια θα είμαι ο πρωτος που θα εκπροσωπήσει τον Ελληνικό μηχανοκίνητο αθλητισμό στην Αμερική.

Σας ευχαριστώ ολους που με στηρίζετε και σας υπόσχομαι οτι θα συνεχίσω να ανεβαίνω μέχρι να καταφέρω το απόλυτο.

Επόμενη στάση: Φλόριντα

ΝΑSCAR GP Czech Republic – Coming in hot after the podium

Thomas Krasonis returns from the summer break, ready to give everything he has after the podium finish at Vallelunga. Next stop: Autodrom Most!

On 3 and 4 of September, Thomas Krasonis and the Academy Motorsport team will compete in the third round of this year’s EuroNASCAR championship, the NASCAR GP Czech Republic.

We sat down with Thomas for a quick Q&A, to get his feeling after the long weeks without a race.

-How was the summer break for you?

I didn’t have enough time to go to vacations this summer, due to the commitments I had. Now I’m ready for the races at Most!

-Talk us through the experience of working with the Centaurus Racing Team.

It was a beautiful and unique experience. It’s a group of 42 mechanics and enginners from the University of Thessaly, and they outdid themselves in order to build and race this race car. They have my utmost respect, and I thank them for the opportunity to compete with it.

-What are your past experiences at the Most circuit?

I have raced there before. It’s a very fast flowing and pleasing to drive in track. In fact, it’s one of my favorites in the EuroNASCAR calendar!

-So, what are your expectations for the race weekened in Czechia?

If everything goes to plan, I don’t believe I lack in any aspect to the guys in front. Good qualifying and a good start will help us take a solid result, with the goal always being a finishing position in the top 10.

And here is the schedule for this weekend (in Local Czech Republic Time)

Saturday, September 3

Qualifying – 10:50

Race 1 – 13:50

Sunday, September 4

Race 2 – 15:00

Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Klemen Sofric

NASCAR GP Italy – Race 2: A superb drive from Krasonis sees him finish on the podium

Thomas Krasonis climbed up the order to finish P12 and on the podium for his category at the second race in Vallelunga.

It was a race of battles and many overtaking maneuvers for Thomas Krasonis on Sunday afternoon in Vallelunga.

The Academy MotorSport driver with the #1 on his doors charged up the field, having started P27 after a disastrous race on Saturday, in which he had a sublime start, but didn’t manage to finish after a crash.

By the end of the 18-lap race, Krasonis was up into P12, and on the podium places of the Junior division of the EuroNASCAR PRO category.

This is his first piece of silverware for the 2022 EuroNASCAR season, and a well-deserved one after 15 overtakes during a race which had two separate Safety Car periods.

NASCAR GP Italy – All roads lead to Rome for Thomas Krasonis

After the first two rounds of the 2022 EuroNASCAR season, Thomas Krasonis and Academy MotorSport go to the Vallelunga Circuit, aiming at better results.

Situated near Rome, the 4,085 km-track is a unique challenge for the big NASCAR cars – especially on the last 5 turns, on the most technical and slow part of the circuit.

‘I have raced at Vallelunga in the past, and recently I tested there with my car, so I can say that I know it pretty well. I feel comfortable driving in it,’ said Krasonis.

The schedule for the race weekend (Local Italian Time):

Saturday, July 9

Qualifying – 10:00

Race 1 – 14:00

Sunday, July 10

Race 2 – 10:30

Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard

NASCAR GP UK 2022: Next stop – Brands Hatch!

The 2021 NASCAR Euro Whelen Series continues this weekend at the Brands Hatch circuit, and Thomas Krasonis will be competing in the EuroNASCAR PRO category, with Αcademy MotorSport.

It’s been a lengthy break between the opening race weekend in Valencia to this coming weekend in England, West Kingsdown.

The 1.944 km circuit is the Indy version of Brands Hatch. Situated in the southeast of England, it offers a unique challenge for the monstrous NASCAR machines, with just 6 corners, all but one being right handers.

After the first two races of the season, Thomas Krasonis is at the P12 in the standings, after his impressive comeback in both races at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

‘Brands Hatch is definitely the most exciting race for me personally,’ said Thomas Krasonis.

‘For one, it’s my favorite circuit on the calendar, and secondly, I have had my best ever finish in the series there. Therefore I am looking forward to race again in British ground in a high level competition once again.’

Find below the full schedule of the race weekend, which you can watch on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel.

NASCAR GP Spain – Race 2: Top 15 finish with 12 overtakes for Thomas Krasonis

Thomas Krasonis came back from P26 to finish inside the top 15 on Race 2 of the NASCAR GP Spain in Valencia.

It was a race of attrition and redemption for Thomas Krasonis.

After his comeback in Race 1 on Saturday, Thomas started Sunday’s race from P26, having set the 26th fastest lap time during the first race.

In the 18 laps that followed, the #1 Academy MotorSport driver did all he could and more to climb back in the top 20, and then into the top 15 of the standings.

The two Safety Car periods helped him on his cause, as he battled his way up to P14 at the finish line.

This means he gained 20 positions between the two races at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo during this first NASCAR GP of the season.

The race results are as follows:

Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Bart Dehaese

NASCAR GP Spain – Race 1: A comeback race for Thomas Krasonis

Thomas Krasonis climbed up 8 positions at the first race of the 2022 EuroNASCAR season in Valencia.

After a difficult qualifying session, during which Thomas didn’t manage to qualify in a better position other than P24, Race 1 in the Ricardo Tormo track was a comeback one.

Despite the three Safety Car periods and lots of tough battles, Thomas didn’t put a foot wrong and managed to climb up to P16, gaining 8 positions on track.

The #1 car of Academy MotorSport proved feisty around the 4 km track in Spain, and we’ll have to wait and see in which position will Thomas start Sunday’s Race 2, since the starting grid for this race is formed by each driver’s fastest lap.

You can watch Sunday’s race here:

Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard

 

NASCAR GP Spain 2022: Debut for Thomas Krasonis in the EuroNASCAR Pro category

The 2022 NASCAR Euro Whelen Series begins this weekend at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, and Thomas Krasonis will make his debut in the EuroNASCAR Pro category, with Academy MotorSport.

It’s been a long time coming for this return in the racing bucket for Thomas. After a very positive test session in Italy a couple of weeks ago, the Academy Motorsport driver is ready to tackle the first round of the 2022 season, in Valencia.

It’s a track Thomas knows very well, having raced there previously in 2019 and 2021.

He will now drive t he Ford Mustang NASCAR, a brand new car for his first outing in the Elite 1 category of the series.

”Testing went well, as we prepared for the new season and learnt some new things on the car,” said Thomas. ”Now, I feel ready to face this new, exciting challenge of driving on the top category of the championship, and score some big points inside the top 10.”

The 4.005 km circuit in the southeast of Spain offers a good mix of slow, tight corners, and more fast kinks that pose a challenge for the drivers, especially when driving these beasts that the NASCAR cars are.

The schedule of the weekend is as follows:

Saturday, May 14
Qualifying: 9:45 CEST

Sunday, May 15:
Race 2: 14:05 CEST

You can watch all the action HERE, and  follow Thomas Krasonis on Facebook and Twitter.