Six contenders separated by just 60 points are heading into Circuit Zolder with double points on the line and everything to play for
- Six drivers are separated by 60 points in the overall OPEN standings
- Double points are on the line during the NASCAR Euro Series Finals at Circuit Zolder
- One champion will be crowned and many drivers want to reach the top
As the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series charges toward the high-stakes Finals at Circuit Zolder on October 17-18, the championship drama has reached a fever pitch. In the OPEN division – traditionally the series’ most unpredictable and volatile division – six contenders sit within 60 points of each other in the overall standings. With a maximum haul of 176 points on the table across two double-points feature races, the title battle remains wide open. Buckle up and get ready for a barnburner as the OPEN gladiators trade paint for every inch of tarmac in the woods of Limburg, aiming to etch their names into European NASCAR history. Here is a closer look at the top-6 championship contenders heading into the Finals.
Thomas Toffel: The Swiss driver kicked off the campaign with three consecutive trips to Victory Lane and maintained relentless consistency across the first five race weekends of the year. Piloting for THT by Race Art Technology, Toffel carries a slim 12-point cushion into Zolder and cannot afford a single misstep with double points on the line. Clinching a fourth checkered flag this season would cement Toffel’s place in the championship lore, but a stacked field of rivals is eager to knock the season’s dominant driver off his perch.
Raphael Lessard: The Canadian standout controls his own destiny and could clinch the OPEN championship outright if he sweeps the Finals at Zolder – just as he did in the Semi-Finals at Autodromo di Vallelunga in Italy. If the 25-year-old takes both checkered flags in the Belgian woods, Toffel will have no mathematical answer to fend off Lessard and Alumitec Racing. Winning four Playoffs races in a row is a tall order, but it remains the ultimate goal. If Toffel stumbles, Lessard could also secure the title without having to visit Victory Lane twice.
Thomas Dombrowski: The French racer, who shares the #24 PK Carsport Chevrolet with reigning V8GP champion Vittorio Ghirelli, lurks in third just 22 points behind Toffel. While the youngster is still hunting for his maiden series win, exceptional racecraft and consistent top finishes have kept him firmly in the championship hunt. You can never count out PK Carsport on their home turf, and the 25-year-old Angerville native has the machinery and poise to pull off a dramatic title heist.
Gil Linster: Raw experience meets the race-winning pedigree of Hendriks Motorsport. Linster has been a consistent frontrunner in the OPEN division for years, and 2026 might just be his time to break through for the ultimate prize. Relying on blistering consistency, the Luxembourger star sits fourth overall, only 37 points behind Toffel. Scoring his first win of the campaign at Circuit Zolder would ignite Linster’s title bid and turn his championship dream into reality. Experience is entirely in his corner, and Hendriks Motorsport knows exactly what it takes to hoist the cup.
Vladimiros Tziortzis: Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, the Cypriot has put together a sensational 2026 campaign behind the wheel for Speedhouse. After battling through setup and pace struggles in recent seasons, Tziortzis proved in 2026 that he remains an elite frontrunner in the OPEN division. The Nicosia native has turned in stellar performances all year long, and with a deficit of just 41 points to the top spot, Circuit Zolder could easily become the staging ground for a championship miracle.
Claudio Cappelli: The Italian roofer is celebrated across the paddock not only for his trademark beard, but for his pure, clinical, and aggressive driving style. Armed with proven championship machinery from CAAL Racing, the 51-year-old from Robecco d’Oglio is hungry to sweep both the Legend Trophy and the outright NASCAR Euro Series OPEN crown. While Cappelli has a 60-point mountain to climb, double points make anything possible once the green flag waves in the Finals.
The Bigger Picture: Nine drivers remain mathematically alive within 100 points entering the Finals at Circuit Zolder, and a single mistake or multi-car incident could blow the standings wide open. Behind Cappelli, Master Trophy leader Sandro Tavartkiladze (-88 points) lurks after repeatedly demonstrating top-tier pace against the frontrunners. Dutch giant Melvin de Groot (-93 points) rounds out the top-9, aiming not only to challenge Cappelli in the Legend Trophy but also to stake a claim on the overall podium. The stage is set, and the crown will be decided October 17–18 in the woods of Limburg.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
