The 2025 NASCAR Euro Series Playoffs kick off at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Germany, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for the European NASCAR crown. With double points on offer over four races in two divisions, every position counts as the series moves into its decisive phase. After the regular season, drivers dropped their worst result from the first eight races, the points standings are tight both in PRO and OPEN and the opening weekend of the Playoffs will be crucial.

The host for the Playoff opener is the 3.667-kilometer Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, a technical and fast-paced circuit known for close racing, daring overtakes, and thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles. The venue’s combination of sweeping corners, tight chicanes, and a passionate fanbase promises an electric atmosphere as drivers go all out for maximum points. With the championship hanging in the balance, Oschersleben provides the perfect arena for NASCAR racing drama at the highest level.

57 different drivers, representing 20 different countries, will hit the track in the NASCAR GP Germany.

NASCAR GP GERMANY LINKS: INFO & TICKETS | SCHEDULE | ENTRY LIST | LIVE TIMING | WATCH LIVE

PRO: Ercoli and Ghirelli tied in points

Fresh off his NASCAR Canada Series campaign at Trois-Rivieres and a race win at Autodrom Most, reigning NASCAR Euro Series champion Vittorio Ghirelli intensifies his focus to defending his European crown. The Italian, with 252 points after eight races, shares the lead in the PRO standings with his arch rival, fellow countryman Gianmarco Ercoli, who has the advantage of the tiebreaker thanks to his three wins against Ghirelli’s two. The battle promises to be epic not only between the two Italians but also with the other contenders, ready to step up.

Just behind the leaders, Paul Jouffreau and Thomas Krasonis, both Junior Trophy contenders, are hot on their heels with 240 and 233 points, respectively. Jouffreau, driving the #3 RDV Competition Ford, is already a proven winner and consistent threat, while Krasonis captured his first PRO victory of the season in Valencia, marking him as a serious contender in both the overall and Junior Trophy standings.

Rounding out the top-5 is veteran Sebastiaan Bleekemolen at 219 points, whose consistency has kept him in the mix throughout the season. Martin Doubek (204) follows in sixth, while Junior contenders Liam Hezemans (201) and Garrett Lowe (200) continue to chase hard. Fabrizio Armetta (196) and Julien Rehberg (191) complete the top-10 in the tightly packed field. Among the elite amateurs in the Challenger Trophy, Claudio Cappelli (160) and Davit Kajaia (154) are the leading contenders.

With the regular season concluded, all drivers now enter the Playoffs opener at Oschersleben knowing that every point, every position on the track, matters even more. With the field so tightly bunched and only minor gaps separating the top contenders, the stage is set for an intense battle as the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series champion chase kicks off in Germany.

OPEN: Krasonis leads the reigning champion

After an exciting regular season finale at Most, the OPEN Division championship fight moves to Germany’s Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, with Thomas Krasonis emerging as the man to beat. The Greek driver, pulling double duty in both PRO and OPEN this season, leads the standings with 246 points, thanks to two wins in the Czech Republic and a string of strong performances.

Close behind is two-time champion Martin Doubek, sitting just five points back at 241 after a solid weekend in Most. Melvin de Groot, who broke through for his first career OPEN win earlier this season in the rain of Brands Hatch and heads the Legend Trophy, has 229 points, placing him third and hungry to reclaim his spot atop the standings. Rising star Patrick Schober sits fourth with 224 points, aiming to turn a streak of bad luck into his first 2025 victory.

Thomas Dombrowski, the Master Trophy leader, remains a contender in fifth with 222 points, demonstrating resilience after a major crash earlier in the season in the UK and a heroic overnight rebuild by his Belgian PK Carsport crew. The Master Trophy battle continues through Sandro Tavartkiladze (215), Bruno Mulders (204), Florian Richard (193), and Dominique Schaak (188), all within striking distance of the front runners. Legend Trophy driver Roberto Benedetti rounds out the top-10.

In the Lady Trophy, Happinessa continues to lead, showcasing consistent performances and uprising pace throughout the season. With multiple contenders and narrow gaps separating the leaders, the OPEN Division promises an unpredictable and thrilling Playoffs showdown at Oschersleben.

Teams: A new king in the castle

The 2025 NASCAR Euro Series Endurance Team Championship remains a closely fought battle as the Playoffs shift to Oschersleben. Team Bleekemolen, powered by the consistent efforts of Sebastiaan Bleekemolen and Melvin de Groot, currently leads the standings with 141 points, but the margin is razor-thin.

PK Carsport, fueled by strong performances from Vittorio Ghirelli in PRO and Thomas Dombrowski in OPEN, sits just seven points back at 134, keeping the Belgian outfit firmly in contention. RDV Competition holds third with 121 points, followed by PK Carsport’s second entry (#13) with 118 points, and Hendriks Motorsport rounding out the top-5 at 117 points.

With the top teams separated by only a handful of points, every race and every finish will count as the championship chase intensifies in Germany. The Endurance Team title promises to be a tense, high-stakes showdown through the Oschersleben Playoffs and beyond.

Rookie Challenge: Penalta the dominant force

After a thrilling battle at Autodrom Most, the NASCAR Euro Series Rookie Challenge returns to action at Oschersleben with a record field and Jose Penalta in commanding form. The Speedhouse driver, who claimed three wins in the regularity time-attack division this season, leads the standings with 228 points, extending his advantage at the top.

Maxim van Laere of PK Carsport trails in second, 18 points behind, while Andreas Kuchelbacher and Nuno Caetano are locked in a battle for third, sitting 29 and 30.5 points off the lead, respectively. Bruno Mulders completes the top-5 with 189 points, keeping the field competitive and the title chase tight.

Further down the order, Davide Frulio (181.5), Nicole Davidson (166), and Yann Cristovaro (162) continue to hunt for points, while Happinessa Racing sits ninth with 145 points, adding to her Lady Trophy lead in OPEN. Daniil Shapka rounds out the top-10 with 126 points.

With multiple contenders and close point gaps, the Rookie Challenge promises an exciting and unpredictable Playoffs opener at Oschersleben, where every second in the regularity-based time-attack format will count toward the championship.

PRO

Raphael Lessard set for European NASCAR debut – The Canadian NASCAR driver will race for the first time in the NASCAR Euro Series.

Marko Stipp Motorsport returns – Marko Stipp Motorsport returns to action at the team’s home race with up to two cars on the grid.

Dario Caso is back – Dario Caso will race at Academy / Caffi Motorsport to side with Andres Beers.

OPEN

Dominique Schaak celebrates at home – Dominique Schaak will contest his 25th NASCAR Euro Series race in front of his home crowd at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.

Cencetti set for NASCAR debut – Loris Cencetti will race for Marko Stipp Motorsport in OPEN and partner with Yevgen Sokolovskiy who has plenty of NASCAR experience under his belt.

16 drivers within 100 points – With double points on the line, the Playoffs opener at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben could mix up the standings ahead of the grand finale.

NASCAR Euro Series PR