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NASCAR WHELEN EURO SERIES AT LE MANS
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS OCTOBER 11-12
(Source: Nascar Whelen Euro Series)
The 2014 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is down to the finals in Le Mans. It's up to this week-end's race to decide who will wear the Euro NASCAR Champion´s Ring and who will bring home the other championships and trophies awarded by the European NASCAR Series.
Five-way battle to the finish line in ELITE 1
Pos # Driver Pts
1 2 VILARINO Ander 491
2 24 KUMPEN Anthony 480
3 1 GARCIA Borja 470
4 12 GABILLON Frédéric 468
5 51 CHEEVER III Eddie 453
Five-way battle to the finish line in ELITE 1
Pos # Driver Pts
1 2 VILARINO Ander 491
2 24 KUMPEN Anthony 480
3 1 GARCIA Borja 470
4 12 GABILLON Frédéric 468
5 51 CHEEVER III Eddie 453
With at least five drivers still in contention and three more still mathematically capable of winning the title in the ELITE 1 division, the Bugatti Circuit will see the final showdown between Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS), Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS), Borja Garcia (#1 Ford Autolix Competition Ford Mustang), Frederic Gabillon (#12 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS). Vilarino enters the Finals as the clear favorite after regaining the points lead in Magione thanks to a win in the Saturday Race and a second place in the Sunday Race, but the Spaniard ““ who can count on 17 wins, has never had a first place podium finish at Le Mans and
with only 11 points over his closest opponent, he is definetely looking to win.
For the other four contenders, there is only one way to dethrone the two-time champion: by winning. With double point awarded in the playoffs, the difference between winning and coming home second can sum up to 12 points, which means that everything is still on the line. Kumpen is still looking for his first win of the season and has never raced at the Circuit Bugatti, but he also has been the most consistent driver all season long and with his team is leading the Teams Championship.
For the other four contenders, there is only one way to dethrone the two-time champion: by winning. With double point awarded in the playoffs, the difference between winning and coming home second can sum up to 12 points, which means that everything is still on the line. Kumpen is still looking for his first win of the season and has never raced at the Circuit Bugatti, but he also has been the most consistent driver all season long and with his team is leading the Teams Championship.
Eddie Cheever kept his word by winning the Sunday Race on his home track in Magione in a nail-biting duel with Vilarino and dedicating his triumph to his mother in the day of her birthday. The Italian ““ standing 38 points behind the TFT driver ““ will face a 5-positions penalty on the grid in Le Mans for a contact with Vilarino in the Semi Finals and therefore must win in France.
Bert Longin (#11 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS), Freddy Nordström (#44 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Mathias Lauda (#66 DF-1 Racing by B66 Chevrolet SS) are more than 70 points behind but with 96 points still at stake, their hopes are still alive. ELITE 1 Trophies: Cheever and Armetta enter Le Mans as leaders
Cheever is the main candidate to win the Jerome Sarran Trophy ““ rewarding drivers aged 25 or less ““ and will mainly face the opposition of Nordstrom, who has to close a 34-points gap on the Italian. 2013 ELITE 2 Champion Anthony Gandon (#7 TFT-Red Line Chevrolet SS) is third, but with a 72 points disadvantage.
Cheever is the main candidate to win the Jerome Sarran Trophy ““ rewarding drivers aged 25 or less ““ and will mainly face the opposition of Nordstrom, who has to close a 34-points gap on the Italian. 2013 ELITE 2 Champion Anthony Gandon (#7 TFT-Red Line Chevrolet SS) is third, but with a 72 points disadvantage.
The Challenger Trophy seems to be a matter between Fabrizio Armetta (#31 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) and Guillaume Rousseau (#13 Bull Racing Team Ford Mustang). The two drivers are separated by just 10 points entering the Finals and neither can afford an error on the 4,143 Km of the Circuit Bugatti. Dominic Tiroch (#86 TB Renauer Motorsport Ford Mustang) is 43 points back and will need some help from Lady Luck to overtake both rivals.
ELITE 2 Trophies:
Leonard Vernet is the only trophy candidate that will celebrate early in Le Mans, because his lead in the Legend Trophy classification cannot be overcome.
Simone Laureti and Marçal Melo are involved in a tight battle for the Gentleman Trophy classification. The Italian gained some ground in his home race but the difference between the two is still just 13 points. Eric Quintal (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) sits 44 points behind the leader.
Leonard Vernet is the only trophy candidate that will celebrate early in Le Mans, because his lead in the Legend Trophy classification cannot be overcome.
Simone Laureti and Marçal Melo are involved in a tight battle for the Gentleman Trophy classification. The Italian gained some ground in his home race but the difference between the two is still just 13 points. Eric Quintal (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) sits 44 points behind the leader.
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