Sports
NASCAR WHELEN EURO SERIES- CHEEVER WINS IN SEASON OPENER-VALENCIA
ELITE 1 RACE 1
(Source: © Nascar Whelen Euro Series)
USPA NEWS -
Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) picked up from where he left in last year´s finals and won the 2015 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season opener in Valencia, edging two-time champion Ander Vilarino(#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) and pole sitter Nicolò Rocca (#56 CAAL Racing).
“Winning has always a special taste and I´m very excited to start the season with a win. The team was incredible and the car perfect,“ said the winner. “When I saw Vilarino behind me I pushed even harder to keep him at bay. Tomorrow I´ll try to do the same: winning is the only plan.“
Borja Garcia (#1 Active Racing Competition Ford Mustang) battled hard in his home race and came in fourth. Defending champion Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) lost several positions at the start and fall to the 18th place, but put on a great comeback to end up 5th under the checkered flag after passing Domenico Schiattarella (#6 MRT by Nocentini Chevrolet Camaro) with three laps to go.
Borja Garcia (#1 Active Racing Competition Ford Mustang) battled hard in his home race and came in fourth. Defending champion Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) lost several positions at the start and fall to the 18th place, but put on a great comeback to end up 5th under the checkered flag after passing Domenico Schiattarella (#6 MRT by Nocentini Chevrolet Camaro) with three laps to go.
A frantic start brought immediately out the safety car to recover the cars of Luke Wright´s (#77 DF-1 Racing Team Chevrolet SS) and Simone Monforte (#88 Euro Kart Racing Chevrolet Camaro). Cheever took advantage of the double file restart on lap 3 to take the first place from Rocca and lead all the last 13 laps of the race. It wasn´t easy though, because initially Rocca put pressure on him before surrendering to a charging Vilarino. The Spaniard had the better hand first on Garcia and then on Rocca, but couldn´t make a move on Cheever, ending up second by seven tenths of a second for his 30th career top-5.
Florian Renauer (#5 Dexwet Renauer Team Ford Mustang) and Philipp Lietz (#67 GDL Racing Ford Mustang) were seventh and eight.
Florian Renauer (#5 Dexwet Renauer Team Ford Mustang) and Philipp Lietz (#67 GDL Racing Ford Mustang) were seventh and eight.
23-year-old newcomer Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) crossed the finish line fifth, but was penalized for a contact in the first lap and was classified ninth. Hugo Bec (#8 RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) completed the top-10.
Cheever also led the Junior “Jerome Sarran“ Trophy on Rocca, while the Challenger Trophy Classification was won by Roberto Benedetti (#9 Double-T by DAV Racing Chevrolet Camaro) thanks to his 11th place, just in front of Trophy rival Erick De Doncker (#78 Insulco Motorsport 98).
Cheever also led the Junior “Jerome Sarran“ Trophy on Rocca, while the Challenger Trophy Classification was won by Roberto Benedetti (#9 Double-T by DAV Racing Chevrolet Camaro) thanks to his 11th place, just in front of Trophy rival Erick De Doncker (#78 Insulco Motorsport 98).
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