Claudio Cappelli joined CAAL Racing for the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season – The Italian wants to be more than a Legend Trophy contender; he wants a say in the overall title battle

• Claudio Cappelli has joined powerhouse CAAL Racing for the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season
• The experienced Italian is battling both a stacked field of competitors and aging
• Armed with elite machinery, he is aiming beyond the Legend Trophy to chase the overall championship

Since 2019, Claudio Cappelli has been a staple of the NASCAR Euro Series grid. The Italian with the infamous beard combines raw speed, a professional approach, and fan-favourite charisma to make his NASCAR adventure a massive success.

The 2024 Legend Trophy winner isn’t just content battling in the class for drivers aged 45 and over; he wants the big trophy. By joining top-tier organization CAAL Racing, the Robecco d’Oglio native is looking to make that final step to the peak of the sport. But at 51 years old, Cappelli admits he is fighting a war on two fronts: his rivals on the track, and the ticking clock of aging.

“CAAL Racing is a massive opportunity for me to take my NASCAR Euro Series career to the next level,” Cappelli said. “Their technical know-how is incredible. This year, I want to approach things with the mindset of a rookie – learning a new way forward that extends far beyond just this season. At the same time, I can’t ignore that I’m getting older. Every year it gets tougher to find the physical strength and energy required to be at the top of your game.”

Away from the track, life doesn’t slow down for the Italian, who balances his racing career with running his own business. “My mind is always occupied with work,” the Italian roofer explained. “That’s not easy for a competitive person like me. I don’t want to wake up on a race weekend and tell myself, ‘Hey, a top-5 or top-6 overall is fine, or you can just win the Legend Trophy.’ That’s not enough to motivate me to push hard. With CAAL Racing behind me, I can finally think big.”

The Championship Picture

As the series heads into the summer break, Cappelli sits fifth in the overall standings, just 22 points back from championship leader Thomas Toffel. He also controls the dynamic in the Legend Trophy, leading his arch-rival Melvin de Groot by 16 points.

With both championships well within reach, the foundation is solid – yet the veteran racer isn’t fully satisfied with how the first half of the season unfolded.

“The season started with a few minor issues that masked our real potential,” Cappelli admitted. “On my side, I wasn’t in peak physical shape, and I made one or two small mistakes that cost us maybe four or five points. Then we had mechanical setbacks, like the engine issues in France and the UK, which cost us another three or four points. Without those, we’d be right on the podium.”

Still, the veteran keeps a positive outlook as the second half of the calendar looms. “The situation is still good. I’m fifth in points, only 22 markers behind Toffel, who is performing exceptionally well this year, so the damage is limited,” Cappelli noted. “CAAL Racing is working tirelessly ahead of the next round at Most, and I’m stepping up my training to get back into peak shape. We are completely locked in for the second half of the year. The title is the objective!”

During the summer break, Cappelli will have to balance his training with peak business season before getting back behind the wheel. “Summer is the peak working season – it’s always the busiest time of the year for roofers,” he said. “But we will take a two-week holiday. I plan to ride my Harley-Davidson through the Italian countryside – Tuscany, I think and along the coast. After that, it’s right back to business. We are planning a test session at Vallelunga in August to try out a new setup and test my physical fitness.”

Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner