Vittorio Ghirelli rewrote the history books at Circuit Zolder, becoming the first driver to secure three consecutive NASCAR Euro Series titles – A portrait of the ice-cold Italian
- Vittorio Ghirelli became the first three-peat champion in series history
- The Italian secured the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series title through resilient, tactical drives
- Since his debut in 2019, the Fasano native has evolved into an elite force in European touring car racing
Vittorio Ghirelli cemented his chapter in NASCAR Euro Series history books when he crossed the line in Sunday’s final race at Circuit Zolder, Belgium. The moment the Fasano native guided his #24 PK Carsport Chevrolet into Victory Lane, the milestone was official: he had become the first-ever three-peat champion since the inception of NASCAR in Europe. 2024, 2025, and now 2026 – Ghirelli has established an unstoppable dynasty, climbing to the pinnacle of European touring car racing at a breathtaking pace.
Ghirelli entered the NASCAR Euro Series paddock back in 2019 and captured the 2020 OPEN title in dominant fashion. Five victories in only his second campaign behind the wheel of a pure V8 beast launched him straight to the top of the standings. Stepping up to the premier class was the obvious next move, though competing against the championship’s top tier proved a formidable test.
The 32-year-old quickly established himself inside the top-10 and evolved into an outright contender. In 2021, he celebrated his maiden premier-class victory; in 2022, he turned into a persistent frontrunner; and in 2023, he fell short of the crown by a mere 22 points against fierce rival Gianmarco Ercoli. It took Ghirelli four seasons to clear the final hurdle and claim his first NASCAR Euro Series championship.
Since that breakthrough, PK Carsport and the Italian ace have formed an untamable alliance. Ghirelli controlled 2024 and 2025 in a manner that left the entire paddock in awe. The 2026 campaign, however, demanded a different approach: hard work, composure, and tactical sharpness. This triumph was built not on sheer dominance, but on racecraft and intelligence, carving his name into the record books once again.
Early victories in Valencia and Le Castellet set the tone for his title defense. Yet unlike previous years, these triumphs required calculating precision. Ghirelli maximized every opportunity, capitalized on rivals’ missteps, and extracted every ounce of performance from his Chevrolet Camaro. The 32-year-old added another victory at Brands Hatch and finished nine of ten regular-season races inside the top5, entering the 2026 Playoffs as the points leader.
While he went winless during the double-points Playoffs – as Nelson Piquet Jr. and Paul Jouffreau swept the rounds at Vallelunga and Zolder – Ghirelli’s metronomic consistency made the difference. His strategic foresight allowed him to outscore both Jouffreau and Piquet Jr. in the final standings. Ghirelli drove like a seasoned champion: not with sharp elbows, but with total focus on the bigger picture. Offense might win individual games, but defense wins championships – an adage that captures precisely how Ghirelli and PK Carsport navigated 2026.
Ghirelli now stands among the most decorated drivers in NASCAR Euro Series history. As the first three-peat champion, he sits tied for second in all-time titles with Ander Vilarino, trailing only four-time champion Alon Day. Day currently holds the win record at 32 triumphs compared to Ghirelli’s 18. Yet, if the Italian continues to pair outright pace with tactical discipline and elite execution, more records will inevitably fall. Dethroning Ghirelli is a monumental task – and for three years running, no one has been able to wrest away the crown.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
