The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is renowned for developing talented young drivers from karting or other racing series. With 400 hp V8 engines, H-pattern gearboxes and no electronic aids, the NWES cars are unique in Europe, a real challenge and the best way to learn how to handle a race car for all types of drivers. Paul Jouffreau decided to go straight from karting to EuroNASCAR, cutting his teeth in the Club Challenge division before debuting in EuroNASCAR 2 in 2022. The Frenchman learned how to wrestle one of these 1,225 kilogram beasts around a track from Lucas Lasserre at Speedhouse. Joining RDV Competition In his second season, the Blaye native set two records for the NWES history books.
Franck Violas and Claude Galopin are the masterminds behind the French team, one of the most successful in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Jouffreau immediately started collecting trophies with the organization, scoring four podiums in six races before grabbing his first EuroNASCAR 2 win in Italy. At the Autodromo di Vallelunga, Jouffreau also made his EuroNASCAR PRO debut, as Frederic Gabillon had to end his season early. It was the beginning of a fairy tale that is still unfolding.
In the Czech Republic, Jouffreau went beyond all expectations: he beat Vittorio Ghirelli on a dry track to become the youngest EuroNASCAR PRO winner at the age of 19 years, 8 months and 29 days. He is also the first NWES driver to win races in both championships in the same season. These two records create their own chapters in the European NASCAR history books. Jouffreau has proven to be one of the most talented drivers on the grid, and after two visits to Victory Lane in the 2023 NWES season, he has set his sails to become a NASCAR champion.
In EuroNASCAR 2, Jouffreau sits in second place, just three points behind Vladimiros Tziortzis, who has five race wins to his credit, but struggled with technical issues in Sunday’s race at Autodrom Most. Jouffreau continued his streak of eight consecutive top-5 finishes with two more runner-up results in the Czech Republic. A record of one win, seven podiums and eight top-5s makes Jouffreau a title contender in the most unpredictable championship under the EuroNASCAR banner. With only 19 points separating the top 4 in the standings and the last two events of the season still to come, tempers are running high.
After the NASCAR GP Germany at Oschersleben on September 23-24, all drivers will drop their two worst results from the ten regular season races. The EuroNASCAR Finals will take place at the Circuit Zolder and will reward double points. Jouffreau is looking to keep the momentum going and leave another mark in Germany. Qualifying and all races will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel, Motorsport.tv and several TV services around the world.
André Wiegold,