Gianmarco Ercoli claimed an impressive win to lead from start to finish in the first NASCAR Euro Series race of the American SpeedFest 12 powered by Lucas Oil weekend at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Saturday).

The Italian driver converted his pole position into an early lead with a good start off the line, as the British racer Jack Davidson made a storming start to move from fourth on the grid to second after a great move around the outside of Druids.

However, Davidson would start dropping off of Ercoli’s pace, falling into the clutches of 2024 Pro champion Vittorio Ghirelli. Davdison initially held off the advances of the PK Carsport driver but Ghirelli’s pace was too strong as he made his move on the Brabham Straight to move into second by the time the pair reached Paddock Hill Bend.

Further back, there was disaster for the championship leader Paul Jouffreau as he ran wide and retired from the race after running in the top-10 early on. Further ahead, the battle for fourth and fifth was hotly contested throughout the race, with Liam Hezemans battling with Thomas Krasonis.

Ercoli’s controlled lead came under threat with four laps remaining as the safety car came out late on. But the Italian kept his composure at the restart to hold off Ghirelli and bring his Alumitec Racing Ford Mustang across the line to claim the opening win of the weekend ahead of Ghirelli.

Behind, confusion at the safety car restart saw the leading Brit Davidson drop down to fourth, with Bruno Mulders taking third position. Liam Hezemans held on for fifth after some superb defending throughout the race, with Sebastian Bleekemolen in sixth.

Giorgio Maggi came home in seventh, with Julien Rehberg behind in eighth. The top-10 was rounded out by Vladimiros Tziortzis and Martin Doubek.

NASCAR Euro Series Pro, Brands Hatch, Race 1

1. Gianmarco Ercoli, Alumitec Racing, Ford Mustang, 41 laps
2. Vittorio Ghirelli, PK Carsport, Chevrolet Camaro, +0.773s
3. Bruno Mulders, Team Bleekemolen, Toyota Camry, +5.366s
4. Jack Davidson, Lux Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro, +7.872s
5. Liam Hezemans, Rette Jones Racing, Ford Mustang, +10.098s
6. Sebastian Bleekemolen, Team Bleekemolen, Toyota Camry, +10.461s
7. Giorgio Maggi, Speedhouse, Ford Mustang, +10.945s
8. Julien Rehberg, Bremotion, Chevrolet Camaro, +11.785s
9. Vladimiros Tziortzis, Speedhouse, Ford Mustang, +12.102s
10. Martin Doubek, Hendriks Motorsport, Ford Mustang, +12.364s

For full results, please click here. 

Photo: Bart Dehaese