In what was his first ever NASCAR weekend, Italian Hillclimb and GT veteran Denny Zardo (#2 Alex Caffi Motorsport Toyota Camry) won his maiden race in impressive fashion for Alex Caffi Motorsport, preceding Saturday’s winner Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang), who further reinforced his points lead heading into final event of the 2017 season.
ELITE 2 SEMI FINAL 2 RESULTS | RACE CENTRAL LIVE
After Saturday’s misfortune – he was involved in a late contact while battling for a place on the podium – Zardo was all smiles in Victory Lane.
“I saw the car for the first time on Friday but with the great work of the Alex Caffi Motorsport team we found a good feeling pretty quickly,” said Zardo, who started from the pole and brilliantly answered every attack brought by Ferrando in the first part of the race before building a good gap and crossing the finish line with 2.5 seconds on the Frenchman. “Ferrando is a veteran of the Series and it was a great, fair battle for the lead. I want to thank the team for this unique opportunity. The cars are really funny to drive, they truly surprised me for how quick they are and how easily you can adapt and have a ton of fun at the wheel.”
Ferrando, who tried his best to win his seventh race of the season, is now heading to the Zolder Finals with a reassuring lead on the other title contenders.
“I’m really happy with this result because we have gained a lot of points today. We have made an important step for the Zolder Finals next month in Belgium.The Knauf Racing Team always does a very good job on the car and I am really thankful for being able to work with them,” said Ferrando after receiving once again the red Whelen sticker for being the ELITE 2 points leader at the end of the weekend. “Knauf is family for me and I thank all of them for what they do for my career. They are unique. In Zolder I want to score as many points as I can. My goal is to tie Stienes Login for the most wins in one season and for that I will have to win all the races in Belgium, but the title is the most important goal.”
Championship contender Ulysse Delsaux (#3 RDV Competition Ford Mustang) finished 3rd. The young Frenchman will have to give his best at the Zolder Finals to have a shot on the Elite 2 title this season.
The battle for the Rookie Cup was on behind Delsaux. Guillaume Dumarey (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) had the better hand on Nicki Petersen (#33 Mishumotors Chevrolet SS), who rounded up the top 5. Maciej Dreszer (#66 DF1 Racing Chevrolet SS) finished sixth at the end of a fierce battle with Petersen.
Paul Guiod (#73 Knauf Racing Ford Mustang) had a solid run and ended up sixth ahead of Felipe Rabello (#55 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS). Justin Kunz (#11 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) and Roberto Benedetti (#41 The Club Motorsports Ford Mustang), who won the Challenger Trophy, rounded up the top 10.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will be back on track from 14th to 15th October at Circuit Zolder, where the 2017 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champions will be crowned.
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