The 18-lap opening round of the NASCAR GP Spain at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo provided a tremendous battle between eventual race winner Ander Vilarino (#48 Racing Engineering Ford Mustang), second place Stienes Longin (#11 PK Carsport Chevrolet Camaro) and the 2018 champion Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS).
ELITE 1: FIRST PRACTICE | FINAL PRACTICE | QUALIFYING | SUPERPOLE | ROUND 1 RESULTS
With his 21st career win, Vilarino brought Racing Engineering to Victory Lane in the team’s first ever NASCAR race.
The Spaniard started from pole position and kept the lead in the first corner of the in the 2019 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season. Longin was able to pass Day early, moving from fourth to second. The three drivers put up a tough three-way battle for the lead that last the most part of the 72-kilometer race.
“It’s been a fantastic race,” said Vilarino, who led from flag to flag. “Thanks to the Racing Engineering team for giving me such a great car. In the beginning we were faster than everybody else, but then Stienes and Alon came back to my rear bumper. Stienes was much faster than me until his pace dropped off. I am really happy to win in front of my home crowd and for the fifth time here in Valencia.”
“I started fourth and suddenly after turn 1 I was second,” said Longin. “I was too nice to Day. I know he is a good overtaker and that is why he passed me again. He began to struggle so I was able to catch him again and also close the gap to Ander. In the end the #48 was too fast for me.”
“The team did a really great job,” said Day. “Unfortunately we couldn’t push enough to catch Vilarino. He was very quick and had the advantage of the pole position. I wasn’t involved too much in the fight between Stienes and Vilarino so I was able to save the tires a little bit, so we’ll see tomorrow. Understanding the new tires this year will be an important part of the championship, so I’m ready to strike back tomorrow.”
Lucas Lasserre (#33 Mishumotors Chevrolet Chevrolet Camaro) was fourth ahead of Nicolo Rocca (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet Camaro) who won the Junior Trophy in his NWES comeback. The Italian edged Alex Sedgwick (#90 Braxx Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Loris Hezemans (#50 Hendriks Motorsport Ford Mustang), who fought his way up from the 13th place on the grid.
Frederic Gabillon (#3 RDV Competition Chevrolet SS) was eighth ahead of Christophe Bouchut (#66 Dexwet-Df1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Alexander Graff (#77 Memphis Racing Chevrolet Camaro), who rounded out the top-10.
Jacques Villeneuve (#32 Go Fas Racing Ford Mustang) climbed many positions in his Euro NASCAR debut, starting 16th and ending up eleventh after some spectacular door-to-door battles. While NASCAR Peak Mexico Series Champion Ruben Garcia Jr. (#1 Alex Caffi Motorsport Ford Mustang) finished 15th, 2000 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte (#70 Mishumotors Chevrolet SS) crossed the finish line in 18th place.
Henri Tuomaala (#23 Memphis Racing Chevrolet Camaro) won the Challenger Trophy, finishing 19th ahead of Mauro Trione (#31 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) and Kenko Miura (#2 Alex Caffi Motorsport Chevrolet SS). Ellen Lohr (#99 Dexwet-Df1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro) missed the Challenger Trophy podium by one spot short, ending up 23rd.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series ELITE 1 will be back at action on Sunday at the famous Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The race will start at 1:55 pm CEST. All races will be streamed live at Fanschoice.tv, the Euro NASCAR Youtube channel and Facebook page, Motorvision.tv and a vast of websites and social media pages around the world.
NASCAR Euro Series PR
