Vittorio Ghirelli Clinches Dramatic Win in Valencia's EuroNASCAR Season Opener

Vittorio Ghirelli demonstrated his racing prowess at the 2024 NASCAR GP Spain, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, by securing a victory in a race filled with unpredictability and last-minute drama. Ghirelli, driving for PK Carsport, managed to capitalize on a critical mechanical failure suffered by Bremotion’s Tobias Dauenhauer, propelling him to his first win of the season and PK Carsport's first since 2022.

The race was a rollercoaster for Ghirelli, who, despite securing pole position, found himself in third place early on due to a challenging start. He maintained a consistent pace behind the leaders, which proved to be a winning strategy as the race unfolded. Sebastiaan Bleekemolen, who was ahead, retired on lap 12 because of a rear car issue, and Dauenhauer exited the race four laps later due to a suspected crankshaft failure.

With the path cleared, Ghirelli took the lead and successfully fended off strong finishes from Fabrizio Armetta and Paul Jouffreau, the latter making an impressive surge from fifteenth to the podium. This victory was not only a professional triumph but also an emotional one, as Ghirelli dedicated his win to his recently deceased uncle.

“I’m delighted with the outcome today, despite the tricky start,” Ghirelli reflected. "It’s always challenging to make up ground here, especially with the high track temperatures pushing us to the limit."

Meanwhile, the race saw other noteworthy performances. Armetta, initially finishing second, delivered a career-best performance, which was later disqualified due to technical non-conformities, promoting Jouffreau to second place. Veteran racer Lucas Lasserre showed his strategic acumen by navigating the race complexities to finish among the top, despite a penalty that briefly set him back.

Further down the field, Marc Goossens and Gianmarco Ercoli, the new father, showcased their skill by advancing significantly from their starting positions to round out the top finishes.

The day was less fortunate for others, including Liam Hezemans, who encountered a puncture that drastically affected his race, resulting in a disappointing twentieth place finish. His teammate, Martin Doubek, also retired early, illustrating the highs and lows that typify the intensity of EuroNASCAR racing.

As the EuroNASCAR PRO series progresses, Ghirelli now leads the standings, setting a high bar for competition and showcasing the thrilling unpredictability of NASCAR racing in Europe. The series promises more excitement, with the next races eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide, all available for live viewing on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and various international broadcasters.