Mariam Davitidze is one of four Lady Trophy contenders in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division – The Georgian fell in love with the pure V8 racing on the best European race tracks
- Mariam Davitidze made a stellar debut in the NASCAR Euro Series
- Reaching the half-way point of the schedule, the 22-year-old is hungrier than ever
- The Georgian is grateful for the opportunity to race in NASCAR with Kolkhi GRT
Celebrating her 22nd birthday on July 1, Mariam Davitidze has plenty of reason to party after three hard-fought events in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series. The Georgian rookie has emerged as a fierce Lady Trophy contender, surviving a brutal first half of the season in one of the toughest, most physical touring car series in the world. Facing a steep learning curve, Davitidze is hungry to finally conquer the top step of the podium in her class when the summer break ends on August 29-30 at Autodrom Most.
“After three races, I feel more motivated than ever,” she said. “Every event has been a valuable learning experience, and with each race I feel myself becoming stronger, more confident, and more competitive. The car is very different from anything I have driven before, but I have adapted well and continue to improve every time I get behind the wheel. What I enjoy most about the NASCAR Euro Series is the incredibly close racing and the intense wheel-to-wheel battles. Competing at such a high level and fighting for positions on track is something I truly love.”
Sitting 21st overall in points and third in the Lady Trophy standings, Davitidze has already learned how cruel NASCAR racing can be. She has experienced the full spectrum of stock car racing: heavy door-to-door battles, torn-up race cars, and heartbreaking mechanical gremlins, but also pure speed, fearless wheel-to-wheel action, and improving lap time session by session. Her personal bests include a pair of gritty 15th-place finishes in France and the UK. The 22-year-old has steadily found her rhythm, making her an aspiring driver to watch in the second half of the season – especially when the high-stakes, double-points playoffs ignite in Vallelunga and Zolder.
“Each of the three race weekends has been full of challenges, emotions, and unforgettable moments,” said the Georgian. “In Valencia, during my very first NASCAR Euro Series event, our engine failed before the race, which meant I was unable to compete and score points. In France, I was leading the Lady Trophy in the first race when I was involved in a major accident, which was extremely frustrating.”
“However, I didn’t let that setback define my weekend. In the second race I fought back and secured a second-place finish, while also beating the reigning Lady Trophy champion. In the United Kingdom, I achieved another milestone by taking the class pole position in wet conditions during what was my first-ever rain qualifying session. Unfortunately, technical issues affected the car during the race, making it very difficult to drive, but despite the challenges, I managed to finish third. These experiences have taught me resilience and shown me that hard work always pays off.”
With those hard-earned racing stripes under her belt, Davitidze is ready to take the next step while honoring the historic path she carved to reach international motorsport. “Competing in the NASCAR Euro Series is not only a huge step forward for me personally, but also an important milestone for Georgian motorsport,” said the driver of the #8 Toyota Camry, fielded by her nation’s racing team Kolkhi GRT.
“I am proud to be the first Georgian woman to compete in such a prestigious international racing series. None of this would be possible without the incredible people around me. Kolkhi GRT has made history as the first Georgian NASCAR team, and I am honored to represent both the team and my country on the international stage. I am also fortunate to have an outstanding teammate, Davit “Data” Kajaia, whose experience, advice, and support have been invaluable in helping me adapt to the car and continue developing as a driver.”
The relentless hunger for checkered flags, podium finishes, and hardware is what drives this young talent as she prepares to attack the final three events on the calendar. “This is my first season competing internationally, and achieving podium finishes, beating last year’s champion, and securing a class pole position in qualifying already means the world to me,” concludes Davitidze. “These results give me confidence that I am moving in the right direction, but I also know that there is still so much more to learn.”
“Every race teaches me something new, and every challenge helps me grow both as a driver and as a person. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to race in NASCAR. It has been my dream since I was eight years old, and standing on this stage today is proof that dreams can become reality through hard work, determination, and belief in yourself. This is only the beginning of my journey, and I am determined to achieve every goal and fulfill every dream I have ever had.”
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
