Club Competition’s logo features Fabrizio Armetta’s late dog, Ruggero, who passed away ahead of the 2026 season – In a touching tribute, the Italian veteran switched his car number to #19 mid-season
- Club Competition’s logo proudly displays the face of Fabrizio Armetta’s beloved dog, Ruggero
- Following Ruggero’s passing, Armetta changed his car number to #19 in his honor
- The Italian veteran made the switch to turn his luck around and ride with his loyal friend by his side
A dog is more than just a man’s best friend – they are our shadow, our confidant, and the keepers of our favorite memories. Ahead of the 2026 season, NASCAR Euro Series veteran Fabrizio Armetta lost his loyal little pal, Ruggero. But Ruggero was far more than just a family pet; he was the symbol of Armetta’s passion and his legacy is forever immortalized as the official face of the Club Competition team logo.
Following a brutal, heartbreak-filled season opener in Valencia, Armetta knew he needed a reset. He decided to change his car number to #19 – a deeply personal nod to Ruggero, who was born on September 19, 2019. It wasn’t just a beautiful homage to his late friend; it was a racer’s instinct to shake off the bad luck, flip the script, and conjure up some divine intervention for the rest of the grueling season.
“Our season started a bit difficult, with an accident at the start of Race 1 in Valencia that practically prevented me from taking part in either of the first two races,” Armetta said. “The car suffered a lot of damage, which meant the chassis had to be replaced. When we returned to Le Castellet, the car with the new chassis went very well. Our performances are always very good – at Le Castellet they took away the podium from us with a penalty, while at Brands Hatch bad luck prevented us from getting the result we deserved.”
“Before the start of the championship, unfortunately, I lost my dog, Ruggero, to whom I was so attached and who is the logo of my team,” the Italian explained. “My team’s logo is his face! After the accident in Valencia, I wanted something to take away some bad luck and I thought of my little dog. He was born on the 19/9/2019, and so it was easy to change my number to #19. He is the mascot of my team, and will always be! I hope I can climb to the top step of the podium with the #19.”
At its core, racing is a sport fueled by raw emotion, grit, and the loved ones we carry with us. Armetta has been an absolute institution in the NASCAR Euro Series since 2013. The Rome native is famous across the paddock for his relentless, aggressive, on-the-edge driving style. His fiery temperament is legendary in the garage, but the story of Ruggero, the #19 Toyota, and this 2026 campaign reveals the profound depth beneath the helmet of a man who has dedicated his entire life to European NASCAR racing.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
