The path to professional motorsports is rarely linear, but for Vinnie Meskelis, the road to the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series has been paved with exceptional grit. Today, the 19-year-old Dallas resident was officially confirmed for the 2026 PRO championship, securing his place on the grid after an impressive showing at the December NASCAR Recruitment Test in Fontenay-Le-Comte, France.

Meskelis will also assume the role of Official Brand Ambassador for the series in both the United States and Brazil. This dual role is personal for Meskelis, who was born in Brazil and immigrated to the U.S. with his parents in 2014. His ascent from a grassroots dreamer to an international competitor is a testament to the blue-collar work ethic that defines the spirit of NASCAR racing.

Unlike many of his contemporaries who began racing almost before they could walk, Meskelis got a late start. It wasn’t until 2020 that he purchased his first used kart. To fund the operation, he mowed lawns throughout his neighborhood, saving every dollar to buy into the 206 class at his local track.

The timing coincided with the global pandemic. With his father on furlough and later working from home, the duo turned a challenging global situation into an intense training regimen, hitting the track four to five times a week. This condensed timeframe allowed Meskelis to accelerate his development, quickly mastering race craft that usually takes years to refine.

Meskelis brings a unique “garage-first” mentality to the European paddock. Lacking the budget for a full crew during his formative years, he served as both driver and lead mechanic. He taught himself the intricacies of chassis tuning and data analytics to save costs, often competing as a privateer operation against powerhouse teams with deep pockets.

This mechanical aptitude has translated directly to his academic life, where he is currently a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Dallas. His ability to interpret data and understand the physics of the vehicle will be a critical asset as he transitions to the heavy, high-horsepower V8 machinery used in the European circuit.

“I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter in my career by stepping into the NASCAR Euro Series PRO division,” Meskelis stated. “After driving the car for the first time during the NASCAR Recruitment Test, I knew immediately that this was the right next step.”

Meskelis views his entry into the series not just as a personal milestone, but as a platform to advocate for diversity in American motorsports. By carrying the flag for both the U.S. and Brazil, he aims to bridge the gap between two passionate racing cultures.

While the specific team and car number for the 2026 season will be announced at a later date, Meskelis’s goal remains the same as it was when he was mowing lawns to buy tires: outwork the competition and park it in Victory Lane.

NASCAR Euro Series PR