Jose Penalta of Speedhouse completed his dream to become the overall Rookie Challenge winner – Only two points separated Penalta and Maxim van Laere after the Belgian dominated the Finals in his home track Circuit Zolder
- Jose Penalta is the 2025 Rookie Challenge winner
- The Spaniard held off Maxim van Laere by two points
- Van Laere topped both timed sessions in the NASCAR Euro Series Finals
What a decider in Rookie Challenge! The battle for the overall winner went down to the wire at the Finals at Circuit Zolder in the heart of Belgium. Maxim van Laere dominated the timed sessions in his home NASCAR GP and scored maximum points with double points on the line, but Spain’s Jose Penalta did just enough to claim the crown by the narrowest of margins. Just two points separated Penalta and van Laere, making it an exciting conclusion for NASCAR Euro Series’ regularity-based time attack division.
Penalta entered the Finals undefeated, having won all four previous rounds, with plenty of expectations. The Speedhouse academy talent finished third and second in the timed sessions, which proved to be enough for second position overall. It allowed him to keep his position at the top and therefore, Penalta was officially declared as winner of the exciting 2025 Rookie Challenge season.
“I’m really happy that I’ve won the division!” said Penalta after his triumph. “We fought so hard all year long for it. I’m so excited and so happy to stand here and be the Rookie Challenge winner.”
While Jose Penalta secured the 2025 Rookie Challenge win, Maxim van Laere delivered a breakout performance in Belgium. He showed that he has what it takes to become a future star in the NASCAR Euro Series. American driver Mike Wise celebrated his maiden podium after he beat Nuno Caetano in the final timed session. Robin Bleekemolen completed the top-5 positions, an impressive result in just her third Rookie Challenge outing.
Thomas Pourrain brought home a top-3 finish in the second session, but problems in the opening session relegated the promising Canadian to sixth. Debutant Alessandro Amedei followed in seventh, with 2017 Rookie Challenge winner Andreas Kuchelbacher in eighth. Davide Frulio and Jonathan Meyer rounded out the top-10. Yann Cristovao grabbed the maximum bonus points for the fastest reference time in eleventh. Daniil Shapka, Nicole Davidson and Daniel Boys filled the final classifications.
Penalta completed his near-perfect debut season with a tally of 440 points, an outstanding achievement. Fellow rookies van Laere and Caetano completed the top-3 overall positions, thereby proving that Rookie Challenge is the best place for debutants of stock car racing to try out the powerful NASCAR Europe machines. Kuchelbacher and Frulio rounded out the top-5, both within 100 points of the exciting Spaniard.
The NASCAR Euro Series Finals starts off with plenty of excitement and there’s going to be more to come in the coming weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, PRO and OPEN have two races each that will decide the championship. Therefore, Friday’s practice session is crucial for teams and drivers to get everything ready for the amazing conclusion of the 2025 season. Watch all of the races and qualifying from the official EuroNASCAR YouTube channel and TV channels around the world!
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
