Henri Timonen contests his first season in the NASCAR Euro Series with Speedhouse — The Finnish racer wants to improve his pace after the summer break.
- The OPEN driver made his NASCAR Euro Series debut with Speedhouse
- A 13th-place finish stands as Timonen’s personal best
- The Finn aims to take the next step and break into the top-10
Coming from the world of rally and extreme sports, Henri Timonen made his NASCAR Euro Series debut at the wheel of the #33 Speedhouse Chevrolet at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. The Finn’s first three weekends in circuit racing brought a steep learning curve, but the 26-year-old is eager to keep pushing, score his maiden top-10 result in the OPEN division, and fight for glory in the Master Trophy.
“The first three NASCAR weekends were awesome”, he said while enjoying the summer break. “I liked the French Grand Prix most, but Brands Hatch was also awesome.”
Experiencing some of the most iconic tracks on the continent is one of the best parts of being a European NASCAR driver. The series visits six distinct circuits over the course of the season, each offering its own unique challenge and a rich motorsport history.
Currently sitting sixth in the Master Trophy ranks, Timonen still has a class podium squarely in his sights. He is utilizing the summer break to recharge his batteries and sharpen his preparation for the second half of the season, which kicks off on August 29-30 at Autodrom Most in Czechia. Following the regular season, all drivers will drop their single worst result before battling through the double-points playoffs in Italy and Belgium.
“I work hard during my summer vacation,” he said. “I also enjoy boating. Additionally, I have competed in one race in Finland at the new KymiRing circuit. I have been gradually raising my level in circuit racing. My results and lap times have been on an upward trend, and I hope that during the break I’ve figured out a few more things that will allow me to significantly increase my speed for the final races.”
Keep an eye on the talented Finn when he returns to tame the V8 beasts of the NASCAR Euro Series. The NASCAR GP Czech Republic will be the final regular-season opportunity for drivers to solidify their positioning ahead of the playoffs, where championship and trophy titles will be on the line for all drivers. Timonen and Speedhouse are building a solid foundation, backed by that 13th-place benchmark and first Master Trophy podium in the 26-year-old’s debut race. With the top-10 within striking distance, the Speedhouse driver has his target locked in for the home stretch.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
