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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

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

EuroNASCAR Italy – Race 2: A final full of overtakes!

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Thomas Krasonis signs off this year’s EuroNASCAR championship with a solid P10 position at Vallelunga.

Having started from P16 for the second race of the weekend at Autodromo Vallelunga, Thomas had set a clear goal of passing as many cars as possible, to get a good points’ haul and improve his championship position.

And he did just that, right from the start.

He had a much cleaner and tactical race than Saturday, and managed to climb up 4 places by lap 10, sitting in P12.

Around that time, Tobias Dauenhauer did a mistake and went off track, and when he got back on it, he lost a lot of time, allowing Thomas to catch and pass him in a matter of seconds.

Lanza was attacking Thomas for the next couple of laps, pressuring the Greek driver into making a mistake. However, in a twist of irony, Lanza was the one who made an error, meaning Thomas was able to finish P11.

After the race, a penalty from one of the drivers who passed the checkered flag in front of him promoted him onto P10, for a solid top 10 result.

That was the end of a long season in the EuroNASCAR championship, which started on May 15 and finished 5 months later.

Thomas finishes in P13 in the final standings.

Last but not least, congratulations to Martin Dubek for the EuroNASCAR 2 title. Well deserved!

EuroNASCAR Italy – Race 1: P12 on a rollercoaster race for Thomas Krasonis

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Thomas Krasonis got P12 in Race 1 at Autodromo Vallelunga, in an up-and-down 60 km run with lots of overtakes and a Safety Car period.

This year’s EuroNASCAR championship ends at Vallelugna, outside Rome, and the goal was and is the same: a finishing position at the top 10.

Thomas started Race 1 from P16, and what was about to happen for the next 15 laps was an amazing rollercoaster of events.

He climbed up to P15 after the first couple of laps, and after that, he lost some ground battling it out with the other drivers. That meant he lost 3 positions, going back to P18 for the better part of the race.

However, with 5 laps remaining, #56 lost the control of his car, unable to continue, meaning that the Safety Car had to go out and set the pace while the track was cleared of the stationed car.

Thomas took advantage of the situation and got back to P15, just before the SC was deployed.

After it left the track, and with just 2 laps remaining, he managed to grab 3 more positions to finish in P12, securing a +6-finishing position on the results.

In a grid that is so competitive, with everyone trying to get every inch of advantage they can, this result is one to hold on.

Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Klemen Sofric

NASCAR GP Italy Preview – The grand finale!

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It’s been a long season, and it’s coming to its end at this weekend’s double race at Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi.

After a long EuroNASCAR season, Thomas Krasonis and Academy MotorSport will conclude the 2021 championship at the Vallelunga circuit.

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.

Thomas sat down with us to talk about the last race of the season and his championship so far.

How well do you know the Vallelunga 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.’

How do you evaluate your season so far?

‘I believe I could have a better position in the standings othen than P13, since I have finished in 3 races less than most other drivers. Nevertheless, I am happy that I am at a competitive level, and I gather experience for 2022.’

Finally, what would you like to improve upon after Zolder?

‘I would like to have better pace at Vallelunga, so I can have the chance to get a strong result, since it’s the last race of the season and I want to give it everything. I will approach this race with ease and I will try to be as close to the guys at the front as possible.’

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

Saturday, October 30

Qualifying – 10:25

Race 1 – 16:35

Sunday, October 31

Race 2 – 10:30

EuroNASCAR – 2021 NASCAR GP UK Preview

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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 2 category, with the EuroNASCAR FJ 2020 car.

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

After a very positive Race 1 at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, Thomas Krasonis is ready to tackle the second round of the season.

It’s a track that Thomas knows very well, having raced there previously in in 2019, in the EuroNASCAR 2 category.

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 P15 in the standings, with Academy Motosport holding the third overall position on the team standings.

‘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.

Q&A με τον Θωμά Κρασώνη πριν τους αγώνες στο Brands Hatch

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Δύο εβδομάδες πριν το δεύτερο αγωνιστικό τριήμερο στο Brands Hatch για το NASCAR Euro Whelen Series, ο Θωμάς Κρασώνης απαντά σε μερικές ερωτήσεις για τον αγώνα της Βαλένθια και τον επερχόμενο στην Αγγλία.

-Πώς ήταν η πρώτη επαφή με το EuroNASCAR στη Βαλένθια;

Ο πρώτος αγώνας της χρονιάς για μένα είναι πάντα ο πιο ευχάριστος. Το γεγονός ότι μπορείς επιτέλους να κάνεις αυτό που αγαπάς είναι αξεπέραστο συναίσθημα. Η ομάδα τα είχε όλα έτοιμα, το αυτοκίνητο ήταν εξαιρετικό από την αρχή και αυτό μου έδωσε τη δυνατότητα σε μια πίστα που ήδη γνωρίζω, να πιέσω για έναν καλό χρόνο από την αρχή των ελεύθερων δοκιμών.

-Πόσο ευχαριστημένος είσαι με το αποτέλεσμα;

Είμαι αρκετά ευχαριστημένος με την απόδοσή μου. Μετά από τόσο καιρό που δεν είχα τρέξει σε κάποιον αγώνα η 7η θέση στον αγώνα του Σαββάτου με ικανοποίησε πλήρως. Τη Κυριακή, παρόλο που εγκατέλειψα, ευχαριστήθηκα τον αγώνα πάρα πολύ και ήμουν χαρούμενος που ήμουν τόσο ανταγωνιστικός στη πρεμιέρα του πρωταθλήματος.

-Ποια η σχέση με τον Jacques Villeneuve μετά το πρώτο αγωνιστικό Σ/Κ;

Τον Jacque τον γνώρισα για πρώτη φορά στις τελευταίες δοκιμές της ομάδας πριν την έναρξη των αγώνων. Είναι ένας πολύ σοβαρός άνθρωπος και επαγγελματίας σε αυτό που κάνει, αλλά συνάμα και πρόθυμος να απαντήσει σε οποιαδήποτε ερώτηση μου σχετικά με τη πίστα ή το αυτοκίνητο.

Στον αγώνα της Ισπανίας ίσχυε το ίδιο φυσικά αν είχα κάποια απορία σχετικά με το σετ απ’ του αυτοκινήτου η τις γραμμές της πίστας ήταν πάντα πρόθυμος να με βοηθήσει – πράγμα που εκτιμώ πάρα πολύ, καθώς οι συμβουλές που παίρνεις από αυτούς τους οδηγούς, έχουν αξία ανεκτίμητη.

-Τι περιμένεις για το Brands Hatch, όντας και μία πίστα που γνωρίζεις καλά;

Το Brands Hatch είναι ο αγώνας που περιμένω από πριν καν αρχίσει η σεζόν. Είναι με διαφορά η αγαπημένη μου πίστα στο καλεντάρι και απολαμβάνω κάθε γύρο που κάνω όταν οδηγάω εκεί. Έχει πολλές ιδιαιτερότητες αλλά θεωρώ ότι το οδηγικό μου στυλ ταιριάζει σε αυτή τη πίστα πιο πολύ από κάθε άλλη. Είμαι πολύ θετικός για τον αγώνα και ευελπιστώ να έχω ένα αρκετά καλό αποτέλεσμα και στους δύο αγώνες.

NASCAR GP Spain – 2021 Valencia NASCAR Fest Preview

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The 2021 NASCAR Euro Wheelen Series begins this weekend at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, and Thomas Krasonis will be competing in the EuroNASCAR 2 category, with the EuroNASCAR FJ 2020 car.

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 2021 season, in Valencia.

It’s a track Thomas knows very well, having raced there previously in 2019, in his first year in the EuroNASCAR championship.

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.

Thomas and the other 29 drivers will also have a crowd to cheer them as they go after the track announced that it will allow the presence of 2000 spectators in the grandstands for the whole weekend.

The schedule for the race weekend:

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Facts about the track:

  • Length 4.005 km (2.488 mi)
  • Turns 14
  • EuroNASCAR track record: 1:40.764 – Alon Day (Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR)

Racing program for 2020 season TBA soon

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The full program of my racing activities within 2020 will be announced soon.

Stay tuned!

 

Thomas Krasonis

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