ΝΑSCAR GP Czech Republic – Coming in hot after the podium

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Thirty days to go: Thomas Krasonis previews the new EuroNASCAR season

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-How has the preparation gone for the upcoming season?

So far I have only prepared physically and in the 22nd of April I will go to Italy for the first on track testing of the season, for which I am very excited for.

-What’s the biggest difference between the Elite 2 category and the PRO one?

In the EuroNASCAR 2 category, young drivers and new entries test their skills in the championship, while EuroNASCAR Pro is full of professional drivers who race in order to make the next step, which is for most of us is NASCAR in the USA.

-What do you look forward doing behind the wheel the most?

I don’t know exactly. Honestly, there are many things I want to see and test. For sure, I want to race in some of my favorite circuits again and I am really looking forward for the British GP in Brands Hatch

-How does it feel to have the full backing of the team, especially after taking this promotion?

I feel honored and obliged to do my best for the team and repay their trust in me with the best possible results. It’s an amazing feeling to have this much trust from them.

-Any early goals set?

Without a doubt, finishing on the top 10 of the final standings in the ultimate goal, and we’ll work towards that for the whole season.

Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Klemen Sofric

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series updates 2022 calendar

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The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series revealed an update to its 2022 calendar. The season will start on May 14-15 in Valencia, Spain due to the cancellation of the NASCAR GP Germany, while the July 9-10 Vallelunga, Italy event will become a championship event.

The 2022 NASCAR GP Germany at the Hockenheimring, which has already had to be postponed the last two years due to the Corona Pandemic, will be canceled after discussions with track management and in consideration of the ongoing difficult circumstances for the event at that venue. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series organization will continue to work relentlessly to ensure the future of NASCAR in Germany.

“We are definitely committed to stand a great NASCAR event in Germany!” Said NWES President CEO Jerome Galpin. “It is really unfortunate for us not being able to make it happen at Hockenheimring since 2019, so we will start immediately to investigate every possible opportunity to come back racing in Germany in 2023!”

The NASCAR GP Spain at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo will open the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season on May 14-15, returning to its traditional spot as the perfect place for the NASCAR season grand opener. An official preseason test at the Spanish track will take place on Thursday, May 14th, offering competitors the opportunity to fine-tune their setups before the green flag flies on the new championship.

Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard

 

Initially scheduled to host the All-Star Event on July 9-10, the Autodromo di Vallelunga, Italy will now host Rounds 5 and 6 of the championship for the delight of the Italian fans. To be run with the traditional NWES event format, the American Festival of Rome will be highlighted by four EuroNASCAR races, the unique atmosphere of an American-themed festival and an unparalleled level of access for the fans.

“We are very excited to continue working with the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and we look forward to this new development,” declared Alfredo Scala, CEO of ACI Vallelunga. “The event we will host in July will become even more important and we are sure that fans, from Italy and beyond, will flock to the Vallelunga circuit for an event that will combine the excitement of EuroNASCAR racing with plenty of family-friendly attractions at the track, all at a time of the year when Rome and Italy offer unique beauty and incomparable weather.”

“We are very excited to visit Rome in July to run a NASCAR championship event,” confirmed Jerome Galpin. “The Autodromo di Vallelunga is an amazing place offering drivers a stunning layout. We can rely on the Italian tifosi’s world famous passion and on the quality of the organization there to make the 2022 American Festival of Rome a huge popular success!”

The revised 2022 ​​NASCAR Whelen Euro Series championship calendar will include six events: after Valencia on May 14-15, the official European NASCAR championship will visit Brands Hatch, UK (June 11-12), Vallelunga, Italy (July 9-10), Most, Czech Republic (September 3-4) and Zolder, Belgium (October 8-9) before crowning the European NASCAR champion in Grobnik, Croatia (October 29-30).

A brand new event will take place in the winter: the Winter Classic will bring NASCAR cars to compete on ice for the first time ever. Location and details will be announced in due course.

Official press release from EuroNASCAR

Academy Motorsport/Alex Caffi Motorsport announces Lemarie, Krasonis, Monti

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Academy Motorsport / Alex Caffi Motorsport is building towards its sophomore season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series by announcing the first three drivers of its lineup. Patrick Lemarie will join the team in 2022, Thomas Krasonis will step into the EuroNASCAR PRO championship and Team Owner Federico Monti will enter EuroNASCAR 2 full-time.

After a positive weekend with the team in Zolder last year, in which Lemarie earned his best result of the season with the sixth place in the Saturday race, the Paris-native signed to drive for the Italian-Monegasque organization, bringing his huge experience to the project.

“I needed a new challenge after Zolder last year. I really enjoyed working with Academy Motorsport / Alex Caffi Motorsport, they gave me the opportunity to race this year with them with a very clear goal: win races. I feel like a 20 year old driver and I am expecting a very strong racing year with Academy Motorsport / Alex Caffi Motorsport,” said Lemarie, who returned behind the wheel in NWES in 2020 after a long absence.

Thomas Krasonis will move to the EuroNASCAR PRO championship in 2022. The 20-year-old Greek finished 13th in points in EuroNASCAR 2 with two top-10s last year driving the #2 Academy Motorsport / Alex Caffi Motorsport EuroNASCAR FJ.

”It is really a great opportunity that Academy Motorsport / Alex Caffi Motorsport is giving me. I wish to be as competitive as possible in this new challenge. I feel honored to represent the team at this level. I will work really hard to have a very strong season with important results,” said Krasonis.

With two Club Challenge seasons and several EuroNASCAR PRO starts under his belt, Team Owner Federico Monti will chase the Club Challenge title again in 2022 and also enter the EuroNASCAR 2 championship.

”Preparing for a new season requires an intense commitment, we are defining our programs working together with Alex Caffi who is always willing to share his incredible experience. We are really impatient at this point to announce the complete team and to start our test sessions,” concluded Monti.

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will start on April 9-10 at the iconic Hockenheimring, in Germany. All races will be streamed live on the EuroNASCAR social media profiles – Youtube, Facebook and Twitch – as well as on Motorsport.tv.

Press release from Gian Luca Guiglia – Photo credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series