The Nexteer Road To Daytona program – the path designed by NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and Nexteer Automotive to grant European drivers the best opportunities to race in NASCAR in the US – will bring its youngest exponent to the K&N Pro Series East on February 14, when 18-year-old NWES development driver Ulysse Delsaux will make his debut at the wheel of the #46 Nexteer Chevrolet SS in the season opener at New Smyrna Speedway.
The car will be fielded by NWES partner Precision Performance Motorsports and the race will be part of the traditional SpeedWeeks, a dense series of events marking the beginning of the NASCAR season in the Daytona area and culminating with the most coveted race of the season: the Daytona 500.
“It is such an honour for me to enter this race, because it means that all the work we have done since the beginning of my career is paying off and the NASCAR family recognizes me as a good NASCAR driver. I have to thank everybody at NASCAR, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and Nexteer Automotive for this amazing opportunity,” said Delsaux. “This is just the beginning and I hope to demonstrate I deserve more opportunities like this.”
The young Frenchman earned his chance to enter his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series race by posting strong results in the official European NASCAR Series, especially in the oval rounds as he reached his first Elite 2 podium finish at Tour Speedway in 2015. He also showed his potential in a test held at New Smyrna in August, despite rain preventing him from racing in Florida in the Late Model Division. The goal for Delsaux will be to gain experience and exposure, be consistent and make a positive impression.
“I will enjoy every lap and give everything I have to show that I am a good NASCAR driver,” said the Troyes-native, who is also living his passion for racing as a way to overcome a form of autism. “I hope for clean, solid race. The entire racing world looks at Daytona during the Speedweeks and I want to gain my place in the spotlight.”
Nexteer Automotive will be Delsaux’s main sponsor in his K&N Pro Series East debut, as the company, together with the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, continues to provide strong support for European drivers willing to cross the ocean and compete against the best in the sport.
“The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and the Nexteer Road To Daytona program provide a unique chance to drivers like Ulysse to improve in their careers, compete in the US and prove themselves in a an incredibly competitive environment,” said Emmanuel Delsaux, Ulysse’s father. “Nowadays, European racing is really tough and requires huge budgets to race in formulas, GT, prototypes or even touring cars. I really think NASCAR creates unique opportunities for young European drivers to build their career and become professional drivers.”
After Daytona, Delsaux will return to Europe and to his RDV Compétition team to prepare a crucial 2016 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series campaign in which the Troyes-native will move to the ELITE 1 Division, aiming for a place in the top-10.
NASCAR PR
