Kolkhi GRT star Davit Kajaia is in a strong position to retain his Challenger Trophy crown in the NASCAR Euro Series Finals, but don’t count his rivals out just yet
- Davit Kajaia heads to the Finals with a commanding Challenger Trophy lead
- The Georgian is 36 points ahead of both Brad Ranson and Giovanni Cartechini
- Double points keep the battle open until the last checkered flag is waved
The advantage in the Challenger Trophy is in the hands of its reigning class champion Davit Kajaia. The Georgian took the lead of the class and built up a 36 points lead after he returned to the top step of the special classification podium in the NASCAR GP Italy at Autodromo di Vallelunga. Kajaia therefore head to the Finals as the favorite, but the driver of the #8 Kolkhi GRT Toyota is aware of how swiftly the momentum can swing. With double points on the line and Brad Ranson, Giovanni Cartechni and Thomas Toffel sitting within 40 points of the lead, the 42-year-old will need to keep his head down and collect every point that he can get if he wants to be crowned as the back-to-back class champion. Here is a breakdown of how the Challenger Trophy is shaping up heading to the decider in Belgium.
Davit Kajaia: In 2025, the Georgian was the chaser for the Challenger Trophy title in his NASCAR debut. Despite trailing by a substantial 42 points to Claudio Cappelli, who led the Trophy standings heading to the 2025 Finals, Kajaia pulled off a spectacular comeback to clinch the Challenger Trophy title with a pair of seventh place finishes that represented his best career results at the time. Fast forward a year later and the Tbilisi native is now in Cappelli’s position as the leader entering the decider at Circuit Zolder. His experience transformed him into a battle hardened veteran and he will use every trick that he has learned to maintain the crown that he currently holds.
Brad Ranson: Embarking on a trans-Atlantic campaign in both the NASCAR Euro Series V8GP and NASCAR Canada Series allowed the Canadian to rapidly develop as a driver in his rookie season. The Speedhouse stalwart steadily collected important results from one round to the next, elevating Ranson as one of the leading chasers for the Challenger Trophy. While he does trail Kajaia by 36 points, any misstep by the Georgian will be to Ranson’s advantage as his trademark consistency will be his ace card for the Finals.
Giovanni Cartechini: Formerly a sponsor only, now a proper class contender and still the team’s supporter. Cartechini’s passion for pure racing drives him forward in his rookie V8GP campaign and with six Challenger Trophy podiums, the Italian has proved his status as an elite amateur driver in the premier division of European NASCAR. The Finals at Circuit Zolder represents a golden opportunity for the CAAL Racing driver to grab his maiden Trophy win and if he does achieve it, Cartechini is in prime position to snatch the title away from Kajaia, whom he trailed by 36 points.
Thomas Toffel: The Swiss driver is focusing to defend his overall lead in the OPEN division, but he’s also in the chase for the Challenger Trophy title in V8GP. Toffel showed great pace behind the wheel of the #34 THT by Race Art Technology Chevrolet, scoring three class wins and was the only Challenger Trophy driver to score an overall pole position and podium. However, technical issues and missed V8GP races left him 40 markers behind Kajaia instead. There’s no doubt that Toffel can mount a spectacular comeback, but with his focus divided, does he have enough in his tank to win both the overall OPEN crown and the Challenger Trophy title?
The Bigger Picture: Logan Bearden’s absence from the NASCAR GP Italy puts the American in a hard position to win the Challenger Trophy, but double points keep the Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks driver in the mathematical hunt for the crown. It will be hard to overcome his deficit of 76 points, but it is not impossible. Andre Lortie sits within 100 points and could still bring home the top prize if everything plays to his favor. Make sure you’re tuned in to the action from the NASCAR Euro Series Finals on 17-18 October in Belgium, as the Challenger Trophy battle remains open until the last checkered flag is waved!
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
