The 2017 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is official underway after completing its Prologue event at Autodromo di Franciacorta in Italy.
A total of eight teams and over 20 drivers were present for the day, with 13 cars on track.
“The Prologue is a new event in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series history and everything went really well. We nearly had 50% of the field with 13 cars involved. It was a great opportunity for us to present the European NASCAR to a large group of journalists and for teams and drivers to hit the track 6 weeks before the season opener in Valencia,” said Jerome Galpin, President CEO of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
“Franciacorta was the perfect track for this event and we would like to thank Mr. Ettore Bonara and his team for this opportunity. The 2017 season is on the way and I can’t wait to be in Valencia !”
CAAL Racing, Knauf Racing, Double T Racing, Alex Caffi Motorsport, DF1 Racing, RDV Team Brazil and the new entry from Germany Mishumotors all took part in the day which officially launched the new season.
“It was a very positive day. Looking at how the Prologue went and at all the enthusiasm it generated in fans and local authorities, I feel even more motivated to organize the best possible event for the Semi Finals in September,” said Ettore Bonara, President of the Autodromo di Franciacorta.
“The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series event is the most important of our season. With Sporting Director Francesco Tartamella and all the track’s staff, we’ll do our best to create something special”
“For this Prologue we have seen a great effort from all the organizers to bring American attractions to the track and the public loved it! The track suits our cars quite well, it’s twisty and technical but it offers good chances to overtake.” said former Formula 1 driver Alex Caffi, now Team Owner of Alex Caffi Motorsport in NWES.
“I think that for the Semi Finals in September we can expect some exciting door-to-door racing and a great American Show. I come from this area and to have a NASCAR event in Franciacorta makes me really proud,” he added.
“The Prologue was also my first day as a full-time Team Manager and I think we are doing very well. Working with Jerome Galpin and the NWES organization we built some solid foundations and the future looks bright!”
“Franciacorta is a great venue for the Semi Finals and I think this Prologue helped us a lot in preparing for the season and in discovering this new track. It also allowed many fans to take a first look at what they’ll find here in September and I have seen a lot of smiling faces everywhere,” said 2015 ELITE 2 Champion Gianmarco Ercoli, driver of the #9 Double T Ford Mustang.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series heads to Valencia, Spain for the season opener on April 8-9.