Melvin de Groot not only etched his name onto the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN winners list, he’s also taken command of the championship standings – While other contenders chase consistency, the Dutchman is proving he has what it takes to be the man to beat
- Melvin de Groot scored his maiden NASCAR win and leads the OPEN standings
- The other top drivers strive to find consistency in the second half of the season
- Ten drivers are separated by 51 points entering the summer break
At the Indy Circuit of Brands Hatch, Melvin de Groot became the 49th different race winner in the history of the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division. The tall Dutchman delivered a masterclass in torrential rain during Round 5, finally breaking through with his maiden victory. Since joining Team Bleekemolen in 2021, de Groot has steadily climbed the ranks – from top-10s and Legend Trophy wins and titles to overall podiums. Now in his fifth season, he’s reached the top step.
But it’s not just the win that makes de Groot a true title threat – it’s his relentless consistency. The two-time Legend Trophy champion jumped to the points lead with his win and extended that advantage with a fourth-place finish on Sunday. Scoring the most points across the weekend, he earned the title “Prince of Brands Hatch” and strengthened his grip on both the overall and Legend Trophy standings.
Traditionally the most unpredictable championship in NASCAR Euro Series, the OPEN division is holding up to its name in 2025, with 10 drivers separated by just 51 points entering the summer break, a Legend Trophy driver leading the standings and seven teams represented in the top-10.
Behind de Groot, Patrick Schober continues to show solid form. The Austrian hasn’t reached Victory Lane yet in 2025, but he’s quietly building a championship campaign with consistent performances. Despite facing technical gremlins and minor incidents on track, the RDV Competition driver sits just seven points back in second place — well within striking distance.
Martin Doubek, meanwhile, is chasing a third consecutive title. The Czech ace has won a race at each event so far, totaling three wins this season. However, the other races haven’t gone his way, and that lack of consistency sees him tied with Schober, also seven points behind de Groot. Both are locked in as the main challengers heading into the summer break and the regular-season finale at Autodrom Most.
Thomas Dombrowski holds fourth in the standings, 11 points off the lead, and sits atop the Master Trophy for up-and-coming drivers. The Frenchman’s weekend at Brands Hatch was anything but easy. A violent crash in free practice – caused by a technical issue – launched his #24 Chevrolet into the barriers at Paddock Hill Bend, flipping three times. Thanks to a heroic overnight effort from the PK Carsport crew, the car was rebuilt with zero sleep. Dombrowski bounced back with finishes of fourth and tenth.
Thomas Krasonis, a two-time winner in 2025, endured a setback in the UK and slipped to fifth in the standings. The Greek driver has the speed to challenge at the front in every race, but he’ll need to string together consistent results to stay in the title hunt. Still, Krasonis is one of the drivers to keep an eye on during the second half of the season. He trails de Groot by 16 points.
Rookie sensation Sandro Tavartkiladze continues to impress in sixth overall and second in the Master Trophy. Right behind him in seventh is another breakout rookie, just 18 points off the lead: a fellow Team Bleekemolen talent making the leap from karting to NASCAR. Since Vallelunga, the Dutch youngster has been running double duty in both PRO and OPEN — and the added seat time is accelerating his development.
Despite his inexperience, the 18-year-old has shown remarkable composure, avoiding chaos and executing clean overtakes. But he’s also faced setbacks: a collision with Thomas Toffel at Brands Hatch and contact from Claudio Cappelli at Vallelunga. If he finds consistency, this rising star could emerge as a dark horse for the championship in his debut season. For now, he sits third in the new Master Trophy standings behind Dombrowski and Tavartkiladze.
Florian Richard holds eighth overall and fourth in the Master Trophy, with Dominique Schaak close behind. The German tied his career-best NASCAR result with a sixth-place finish on Sunday, surviving a chaotic race to jump to ninth in the standings. Roberto Benedetti rounds out the top-10 and sits second in the Legend Trophy class.
Further down the order, reigning Legend Trophy champion Claudio Cappelli is 12th overall and third in class. The Italian’s season has been marred by on-track incidents and technical issues, leaving him 61 points adrift of the leader.
Next up is Autodrom Most on August 30-31 – a pivotal round before the Playoffs kick off in Germany and Belgium, where double points are on the line. Most importantly, drivers will drop their worst result after the Czech round, reshuffling the deck ahead of the championship showdown. All races from the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season are streamed live on the EuroNASCAR YouTube channel and broadcast on TV networks around the world.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
