Cappelli makes it two in a row: The Italian dominates the Legend Trophy - Speedway Digest

The 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season kicked off at the 4.005 kilometer long Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Two EuroNASCAR 2 races were on the schedule and one of the special classifications among this championship is the Legend Trophy for drivers aged 40 and more. Claudio Cappelli was the dominant driver in the class with two spectacular race wins on Saturday and Sunday. The Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsports driver therefore lies in first place in the Legend Trophy ranks.

Driving the #5 Ford Mustang, Cappelli had a top-5 car in Valencia for sure and the Robecco d’Oglio native delivered the result in a strong fashion. The 49-year-old fought for the overall podiums spots and was unchallenged in the Legend Trophy in the first race after an early trouble for reigning Champion Melvin de Groot. After a strong race, Cappelli finished third overall and grabbed the class win on Saturday. He beat fellow Legend Trophy contenders Kenko Miura and Roberto Benedetti.

“It’s great, my second overall podium in three years. This is a very sweaty day, but I’m very happy. I saw the leaders closed the gap and stayed calm. The race director did their work today and now I’m on the podium,” remarked Cappelli, who finished fourth initially but was promoted to the top-3 positions after Thomas Toffel received a penalty for track limit infringements.

On Sunday, Cappelli proved to have what it takes to establish himself in the overall top-5. Again, the Italian fought for the top spots in the competitive EuroNASCAR 2 grid. Despite missing the overall podium in fifth overall, the 49-year-old was able to beat Benedetti and Michael Bleekemolen in the battle for the Legend Trophy win. He was challenged by Miura in the opening few laps, but the Japanese driver spun out of the race on lap 3. De Groot again retired early and therefore had no chance to complete the desired comeback.

Cappelli is fourth overall in the EuroNASCAR 2 standings and leads Benedetti and Bleekemolen in the Legend Trophy by 10 and 19 points respectively. Arianna Casoli is sixth in the class and first in the Lady Trophy ranks, having shown good pace in both races held under the bright skies of Spain.

The 2024 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season continues with the NASCAR GP Italy at Autodromo di Vallelunga on May 18-19. Qualifying and all races will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and several TV channels from all around the world.

NWES PR