70 drivers, 27 cars, 19 nations: The NASCAR Euro Series Season Kicks Off with Sold Out and Best Grid in History

www.nascar.eu April 16, 2026
Nina Weinbrenner Pro R2 Crowd Valencia 2025

70 drivers from 19 countries on a sold out grid are ready for the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season opener at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain – The competitive grids in V8GP and the OPEN championships promise one of the closest championship battles in history

  • 70 drivers in 27 teams will represent 19 nations in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season
  • The NASCAR Euro Series is the most international NASCAR series gathering drivers from all over the world
  • The grid was sold out and due to the high demand, a 27th entry was granted a spot on the season grid

It’s time to fire up the roaring V8 engines of the NASCAR Euro Series for the 15th official NASCAR season in Europe. Demand for a spot on the grid has never been higher; while the series initially limited the field to 26 entries, an exception was made for long-term partner Rehberg + Bremotion Racing, bringing the #77 Chevrolet Camaro to the track and the grid to a spectacular 27 cars. This is officially a sold-out house for teams and drivers.

With 19 nations represented, the NASCAR Euro Series stands as the most international NASCAR series on the planet. While European nations make up the majority of the grid, the entry list also features drivers from the USA, Canada, and Japan. Georgia’s significant participation in the 2026 season underscores the growing importance of the Eurasia region to NASCAR’s European Championship.

A record-grid, competitive championships and stars from all around the world are set to bring the thunder back to Europe. The 4.005-kilometer Circuit Ricardo Tormo – hosting its 12th season opener – will serve as the ultimate stage for this global showcase. Beyond the thunderous 5.7-liter V8 engines, the Valencia NASCAR Fest offers a premier American-themed experience for fans, combining high-octane door-to-door racing with a coliseum-style atmosphere that brings every inch of the action to life for the grandstands.

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Bart Dehaese Open R2 Start Valencia 2025
Credits: NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese

V8GP: The Battle of Champions and Icons

The V8GP division is the crown jewel of the series, and the 2026 title fight is headlined by a trio of heavy hitters. Reigning champion Vittorio Ghirelli (PK Carsport) returns to defend his throne against his fierce Italian rival Gianmarco Ercoli (ALUMITEC Racing). Joining them in the hunt for the ultimate prize is the young phenom Paul Jouffreau (RDV Competition), who has proven he has the speed to take down the veterans.

Adding to the prestige of the grid, the series features three generations of former Formula One talent. The veteran Alex Caffi, late 2000s F1 star Nelson Piquet Jr. and Michael Bleekemolen in the OPEN division all bring world-class experience to the field, making this one of the most decorated lineups in series history. These icons will face off against a global field of hungry contenders looking to make their mark on the international stage.

NASCAR GP SPAIN 2026: WATCH LIVE

OPEN: A Stacked Field of Contenders

The OPEN division is brimming with talent, and the title race is wide open. Martin Doubek (Hendriks Motorsports) leads the charge as he looks to add more hardware to his trophy case, but he faces a gauntlet of elite drivers. Top-tier contenders such as Thomas Toffel, Gil Linster, and Vladimiros Tziortzis are expected to be at the front of the pack from the green flag. Given that the reigning champion, Thomas Krasonis, has advanced to V8GP, a new champion is guaranteed this season.

The depth of the field continues with international standouts Raphael Lessard, Claudio Cappelli, Thomas Dombrowski, Florian Richard or Sandro Tavartkiladze, all of whom have the pace to challenge for the championship. The division also features a strong contingent of elite female drivers ready to shake up the standings. Beitske Visser, Mariam Davitidze, and Happinessa are all entered and ready to demonstrate that the OPEN division remains one of the most competitive platforms in all of racing.

NASCAR GP SPAIN 2026: WATCH LIVE

Nina Weinbrenner Pro R1 Podium Crowd Valencia 2025
Credits: NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner

Rookie Challenge: The Future of the Sport

The Rookie Challenge serves as the ultimate gateway for new talent, featuring a record-breaking entry list of 20 drivers. This division is a true melting pot of racing backgrounds, featuring names like former winner Andreas Kuchelbacher from Austria, Mike Wise, who brings North American experience to the European stage, and Sandro Kajaia, representing the rising talent from Georgia. With a focus on consistency and precision in a pure V8 machine with no electronic aids, these drivers are the future stars of the series.

V8GP

  • The big three – Vittorio Ghirelli, Gianmarco Ercoli, and Paul Jouffreau are the primary targets for the 2026 championship
  • F1 pedigree – Three generations of Formula One experience are on the grid with Bleekemolen, Caffi, and Piquet Jr.
  • Sold out – The #77 Rehberg + Bremotion Racing car was added as a 27th entry due to massive partner demand

OPEN

  • Title hunters – Martin Doubek, Gil Linster, Thomas Toffel, Thomas Dombrowski headline a massive list of championship hopefuls
  • International depth – Contenders like Vladimiros Tziortzis from Cyprus, Kenko Miura from Japan and Raphael Lessard from Canada prove the global appeal of the series
  • Leading ladies – Beitske Visser, Mariam Davitidze, and Happinessa highlight a talented group of female drivers in the division

Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner