Garret Lowe leads the competitive Junior Trophy for drivers aged 25 and under in the NASCAR Euro Series V8GP championship – His fellow American driver Logan Bearden tops the Challenger Trophy for elite amateurs
- Garret Lowe leads the Junior Trophy heading into the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series Playoffs
- Logan Bearden dominates the Challenger Trophy after a strong regular season
- Both V8GP classes will be decided in the 2026 Playoffs in Vallelunga and Zolder
The 2026 NASCAR Euro Series heads into the home stretch, and the stakes are at an all-time high with double-points Playoff rounds on deck in Italy and Belgium. With the drop-race calculations finalized after the NASCAR GP Czech Republic, the stage is officially set. American drivers are making serious waves across the Atlantic: BS+BREMOTION’s Garret Lowe paces the Junior Trophy for drivers 25 and under, while Logan Bearden commands the Challenger Trophy for elite amateurs. The targets are on their backs – can both drivers hold off the chasing pack until the final checkered flag?
Lowe faces fierce competition in the Junior Trophy, which has produced one of the most intense battles in the V8GP in recent years. Behind the wheel of the #99 Chevrolet, the Charlotte native holds an eight-point advantage over proven V8GP race winner Paul Jouffreau, who sits fifth in the overall standings. Just three points further back follows Greek OPEN champion Thomas Krasonis. Jack Davidson occupies seventh overall, 22 points adrift of Lowe, while Vinnie Meskelis trails Davidson by just two points – putting an impressive five Junior Trophy contenders inside the overall V8GP top-10.
Just outside the top-10, Julien Rehberg sits 16th after a weekend marred by bad luck and technical gremlins at the Autodrom Most. The German had been a consistent fixture in the top-10 throughout the campaign, but a difficult regular season finale in Czechia dealt a tough blow to the youngster’s ambitions aboard the #77 Rehberg + Bremotion Racing Chevrolet.
While Lowe has to battle tooth and nail in the Junior Trophy, compatriot Bearden looks to be on calmer waters in the Challenger Trophy. Sitting tenth overall, the Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks Motorsport ace holds a commanding 19-point margin over reigning champion Davit Kajaia. Still, with double points at stake in Vallelunga and Zolder, that lead can evaporate in an instant – leaving the Georgian plenty of incentive to retain his title. Another 18 points adrift lies Giovanni Cartechini, with Thomas Toffel, Brad Ranson, Andre Lortie, Kenko Miura, Alex Caffi, Michael Bleekemolen, and Brenna Schubert completing the Challenger Trophy roster.
The 2026 NASCAR Euro Series championship chase is set to be one for the ages, promising non-stop drama across the entire grid. The Playoffs roar into life on September 19–20 at the spectacular Autodromo di Vallelunga just outside Rome. Grab your free ticket now to feel the thunder trackside, or tune in live on DAZN, YouTube, or your local sports channel. Full global broadcast listings and viewing options can be found at www.nascar.eu/watch.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Michael Grossgarten
