The NASCAR Euro Series is heading back to its roots for the second race weekend of what is shaping up to be one of its best seasons. The iconic Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet will host the NASCAR GP France, marking the first time the venue has done so. The event brings the unique and exciting flavor of European NASCAR racing to the Cote d\u2019Azur, featuring 63 drivers from 20 different countries. With a sold-out paddock, anticipation is high for the championship\u2019s long-awaited return to the country where it all began in 2009.<\/p>\n
The raw V8 thunder will roar in France, bringing a set of four spectacular races \u2013 two in the pinnacle V8GP championship and two in the OPEN division. Crucially, many championship and trophy points are on the table. The excitement kicks off on Friday with the Rookie Challenge, the regularity time-attack competition that will award the first silverware of what promises to be a memorable race weekend.<\/p>\n
NASCAR GP FRANCE LINKS: INFO & TICKETS<\/a> | SCHEDULE<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0ENTRY LIST<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0LIVE TIMING<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0WATCH LIVE<\/a><\/p>\n V8GP: Ghirelli With a Target on His Back<\/p>\n Vittorio Ghirelli, the two-time V8GP champion, arrives at Le Castellet as the championship leader after a strong season opener at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain. The Italian, driving for PK Carsport, claimed a race win and the highest point total across the two opening races, cheered on by 22,000 fans. The Fasano native is determined to defend his position against a formidable field of international competitors who are eager to challenge his early-season dominance.<\/p>\n Hybrid racer Garrett Lowe, the eNASCAR driver and 2025 Junior Trophy contender, is currently running second in the standings, trailing Ghirelli by just five points. The American is eager to secure his first race win with BS+BREMOTION. With the series visiting a new track at Le Castellet, Lowe\u2019s prospects of finally becoming a NASCAR Euro Series race winner are higher than ever. Following in third place is 2023 V8GP champion Gianmarco Ercoli, ahead of Jack Davidson and Sebastiaan Bleekemolen. Also looking to inject himself into the championship battle is the Brazilian star Nelson Piquet Jr., who is fresh off his maiden V8GP podium in Valencia and competing in his first European NASCAR season.<\/p>\n Lowe is currently at the top of the Junior Trophy standings. However, Davidson, sitting fourth overall, and reigning OPEN champion Thomas Krasonis, in seventh, are poised to challenge for the lead in this special class for drivers aged 25 and under. Local hero, Junior Trophy and V8GP contender Paul Jouffreau is set to gain momentum and rejoin the championship battle in front of his home crowd.<\/p>\n Simultaneously, they are fighting for higher positions in the overall championship, which could lead to a chance to be enshrined in the NASCAR Whelen Hall of Fame in Charlotte as the V8GP champion. In the Challenger Trophy for elite amateurs, Giovanni Cartechini leads the pack in 14th overall, closely followed by Brad Ranson and the current trophy holder, Davit Kajaia.<\/p>\n OPEN: Who Will Beat Thomas Toffel?<\/p>\n Thomas Toffel kicked off the season with a spectacular double victory in Valencia, securing not just his first career race win, but a sweep of both events. The Swiss driver, representing THT by Race Art, now leads the championship by 11 points over Gil Linster and Claudio Cappelli. Toffel aims to maintain this strong momentum and accumulate crucial points in the OPEN championship as he takes on the demanding task of driving the #34 Chevrolet in two different championships.<\/p>\n Heading into the highly anticipated NASCAR GP France, Linster and Legend Trophy leader Cappelli are focused on overtaking Toffel in the overall standings and strengthening their bid for the OPEN title. Vladimiros Tziortzis currently sits fourth, while fellow Legend Trophy contender \u2013 the special class for drivers aged 45 and more \u2013 Melvin de Groot completes the top-5. Also looking to make a championship impact is Raphael Lessard, who demonstrated the best pure pace at Valencia and is eager to strike back.<\/p>\n Maxim van Laere, a second-generation NASCAR Euro Series driver, currently holds the lead in the Master Trophy standings for pure talent within the OPEN division, sitting eighth overall. He is followed by Dominique Schaak and Valentino Gambarotto. The Lady Trophy remains a close contest, with Happinessa holding a narrow one-point advantage over newcomer Beitske Visser. Mariam Davitidze, currently third, is on a steep learning curve and could potentially join the battle with the top two competitors.<\/p>\n