A full grid will make its way to the United Kingdom for Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season – The Brands Hatch Circuit expects full grandstands for the American SpeedFest
– Full grids in the V8GP and OPEN championships at Brands Hatch
– The popular American SpeedFest will attract tens of thousands of fans
– The NASCAR Euro Series race at the Indy Circuit of Brands Hatch are a must watch
The NASCAR Euro Series travels to the United Kingdom on June 6-7 for a major event at the historic Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. This anticipated American SpeedFest features a complete roster of pure V8 racing competitors across both the OPEN and V8GP championships. As the final event before the summer hiatus, the races at iconic corners like Druids and Paddock Hill Bend offer a critical opportunity for drivers to secure vital championship points and deliver premier NASCAR competition to European fans.
For many years, the American SpeedFest has served as the premier attraction of the NASCAR Euro Series, with approximately 50,000 spectators anticipated for this unique event headlined by the European NASCAR championship. The action commences on Friday as teams and drivers take advantage of Free Practice sessions to optimize their setups for one of the most demanding and compact circuits on the schedule.
V8GP: Consistency is Key
Vittorio Ghirelli is on the verge of etching his name into the NASCAR Euro Series record books with a legendary milestone. As the reigning back-to-back titleholder, the Fasano native aims to become the second individual to earn three championships and the first to ever secure three consecutive titles in Europe’s premier NASCAR tier. Ghirelli’s performance this season has been defined by unwavering consistency and remarkable composure, boasting two victories and four top-5 finishes in just four races, proving the PK Carsport driver remains a formidable contender for the gold.
The pressure is on as the gap closes! With only two weeks separating the NASCAR GP France and the upcoming UK round, Vittorio Ghirelli’s closest rivals have been working tirelessly to overhaul the Italian pace-setter. Leading the pursuit is hybrid racer Garrett Lowe, who currently sits just 24 points adrift of the championship lead piloting the #99 BS+BREMOTION Chevrolet. As the current frontrunner in the Junior Trophy, Lowe is focused on securing his first-ever NASCAR Euro Series victory alongside his German outfit.
Several major contenders are pursuing the leader, including Paul Jouffreau, who holds fourth place in the standings behind standout driver Jordan O’Brien. Fresh from a breakthrough victory in front of his home fans at Le Castellet, the Frenchman aims to carry the momentum from Round 4 into the upcoming races. Gianmarco Ercoli, the 2023 champion and long-time rival of Ghirelli, follows in fifth. He sits just ahead of the leader’s teammate and reigning OPEN champion, Thomas Krasonis. Additionally, Jouffreau and Krasonis round out the top-3 in the Junior Trophy rankings, trailing only Lowe.
Holding seventh place in the overall standings, Logan Bearden currently leads the Challenger Trophy. Rounding out the top-10 are Sebastiaan Bleekemolen, Junior Trophy contender Julien Rehberg, and Davit Kajaia, another Challenger Trophy standout. After the summer break in Round 8, the regular season’s lowest scores will be discarded, a rule that invariably tightens the championship battle. Consequently, drivers who have faced setbacks earlier in the year must capitalize on every opportunity, as only 50 points separate the top-10 and a maximum of 88 points are available at the Brands Hatch event.
OPEN: The End of a Streak
Thomas Toffel has dominated the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division for three consecutive races, placing the Swiss driver and his THT by Race Art Technology Chevrolet at the top of the championship standings. However, his winning streak was interrupted in France by Raphael Lessard, who claimed a long-awaited victory in Round 4. This result propelled the Canadian to fourth in the standings, leaving him just 23 points behind the championship leader.
Much like the V8GP division, consistency remains the fundamental element in the pursuit of the OPEN title. Toffel has secured three victories and four top-5 finishes to date, cementing his position as the leader. Trailing by 18 points is Gil Linster, who occupies second place overall. Despite being winless this season, his steady performances keep him within striking distance of the Swiss. Meanwhile, Vladimiros Tziortzis has emerged as a significant threat in third place, sitting 22 points behind Toffel. After two difficult years searching for pace, the Cypriot is experiencing a resurgence that could make him a formidable contender in the championship fight.
Claudio Cappelli, the current Legend Trophy leader, follows Lessard to complete the top-5. The Italian driver maintains an edge over Thomas Dombrowski and fellow class competitor Melvin de Groot, who occupies seventh place. Rounding out the top-10 before this highly anticipated event are Maxim van Laere – the Master Trophy leader in eighth overall – Lady Trophy frontrunner Beitske Visser, and Legend Trophy driver Giovanni Faraonio.
Endurance Teams Championship: The Battle of the Powerhouses
The third event of the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series at Brands Hatch of course features the Endurance Teams Championship. Leading this unique rally-style or Tour de France style competition is the #24 PK Carsport Chevrolet, driven by Vittorio Ghirelli and Thomas Dombrowski. They are closely pursued by the #54 CAAL Racing entry of Giovanni Cartechnini and Claudio Cappelli, who trail by a mere three points. Currently in third place, the #50 Hendriks Motorsport Ford piloted by Jordan O’Brien and Gil Linster seeks to close a seven-point gap. Rounding out the top-5 in the standings are the #69 Team Bleekemolen car – the reigning Endurance Teams champions – and the #6 Speedhouse entry.
V8GP
– Mike Wise joins the V8GP division – The American will be driving the #20 LUX Motorsport car in the top-tier championship
– This is a home race for LUX Motorsport – The Scottish team, featuring 2024’s OPEN race winner Jack Davidson, aims to repeat last year’s podium success in V8GP
– 20 drivers separated by just 75 points – With 88 maximum points available, the NASCAR GP UK could become a crucial factor in the regular season
OPEN
– Beitske Visser gaining momentum – Following a challenging start with two technical setbacks in four races, the Dutch driver is now focused on breaking into the overall top-5
– Former winner Melvin de Groot – “The Dutch Giant” famously secured his first NASCAR victory at this venue in 2025 during a torrential downpour. Can he do it again in 2026?
– Martin Doubek looking to rebound – The two-time OPEN champion aims to reverse a difficult start to the season at a circuit where he has previously tasted victory