The 32-year-old from Fasano, Italy, became the first driver in NASCAR Euro Series history to win three consecutive championship titles. French driver Paul Jouffreau finishes second, ahead of former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
22 ott 2026
The 32-year-old from Fasano, Italy, became the first driver in NASCAR Euro Series history to win three consecutive championship titles. French driver Paul Jouffreau finishes second, ahead of former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
Circuit Zolder, Belgium | 18 October 2026 — Italian racing driver Vittorio Ghirelli has made NASCAR history, becoming the first driver ever to win three consecutive NASCAR Euro Series championships.
The 32-year-old from Fasano, in southern Italy, secured his historic third title at the NASCAR Euro Series Finals at Circuit Zolder in Belgium, completing an extraordinary run of championship victories in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Driving the #24 Chevrolet Camaro for Belgian team PK Carsport, Ghirelli finished the season with 495 points, securing the championship by 15 points over his closest rivals.
FROM ITALIAN RISING STAR TO THREE-TIME NASCAR CHAMPION
Born in Fasano, in Italy's Puglia region, Ghirelli began his NASCAR Euro Series journey in 2019.
He quickly established himself as one of the championship's most promising drivers, winning the OPEN division title in 2020 before progressing to the premier V8GP category.
After claiming his first premier-class race victory in 2021, Ghirelli steadily developed into a championship contender, narrowly missing out on the title in 2023.
His breakthrough came in 2024, when he secured his first V8GP championship. He successfully defended the title in 2025 before making history with a third consecutive crown in 2026 — a feat never previously achieved in the European NASCAR championship.
Unlike his previous championship-winning seasons, Ghirelli's 2026 campaign was defined by consistency and determination. Despite intense competition throughout the year, the Italian delivered the results needed to secure his place in the record books.
“It's amazing to get a third! This year was very tough and our rivals made it hard for us, but the team and I were always right there to deliver strong results. In the end you just have to stay silent and leave your words, success will make the noise,” said Ghirelli following his championship victory.
With three premier-class titles and 18 race victories, Ghirelli is now tied for second on the NASCAR Euro Series all-time championship list, behind four-time champion Alon Day.
FRENCH DRIVER PAUL JOUFFREAU FINISHES SECOND, AHEAD OF FORMULA 1 STAR NELSON PIQUET JR.
The 2026 championship concluded with an intense battle for the remaining podium positions.
Paul Jouffreau, from Blaye, France, secured second place overall following an impressive performance at Circuit Zolder, where he won both Finals races. The French driver also claimed his third consecutive Junior Trophy title.
BRAZILIAN DRIVER NELSON PIQUET JR FINISHES THIRD, SON OF THREE-TIME FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION NELSON PIQUET
Nelson Piquet Jr., the Brazilian former Formula 1 driver and inaugural Formula E World Champion, finished third in the championship standings.
The son of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, Piquet Jr. brought international motorsport experience and star power to the NASCAR Euro Series. His two victories at Vallelunga, Italy, kept him in contention for the European title until the final weekend.
Jouffreau and Piquet Jr. finished level on 480 points, with the Frenchman securing second place through the championship's race-win tiebreaker.
2026 NASCAR EURO SERIES V8GP — FINAL TOP THREE
1. Vittorio Ghirelli (Italy) — 495 points | Champion
2. Paul Jouffreau (France) — 480 points | Runner-up
3. Nelson Piquet Jr. (Brazil) — 480 points | Third place
NASCAR EURO SERIES
The NASCAR Euro Series is NASCAR's official European championship, bringing the heritage of America's iconic motorsport brand to Europe's most famous racing circuits.
Featuring powerful V8 cars, roaring engines and intense, close-contact racing, the championship delivers a distinctive form of motorsport across six European countries.
With two competitive divisions, V8GP and OPEN, it attracts an international grid of drivers from around the world, combining American racing tradition with European motorsport culture.
