Storms To Second Win Of The Season
The third edition of the Brands Hatch American SpeedFest ended with Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) storming to a flag-to-flag win in the ELITE 2 Round 6 in front the historic track’s huge crowd. This is the Frenchman’s second win of the season and the fourth of his NASCAR career.
“I’m really happy to win again with the Knauf Ford Mustang. Yesterday It was very difficult because I made a big mistake but we managed to be up front today. Really really happy,” said the 17-year-old.
Ferrando started from the pole and jumped to an early lead, but a yellow flag waved on lap 17 after Didier Bec’s (#8 RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) lost oil on track and some cars – including Florian Renauer (#5 Dexwet Renauer Team Ford Mustang), who was second – slipped off track. Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) took advantage of the situation and took second place, defending it on restart with three laps to go and finishing just behind Ferrando under the checkered flag, leading the Rookie Cup classification.
The restart saw Longin win the battle for third ahead of Renauer and Philipp Lietz (#67 GDL Racing Ford Mustang), who took the championship lead. Reigning ELITE 2 champion Maxime Dumarey (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) was sixth, with Francesca Linossi (#99 GDL Racing Ford Mustang) right behind him leading the Lady Cup.
Championship leader Gianmarco Ercoli (#9 Double T by MRT Nocentini Chevrolet Camaro) ended up 8th after being involved in a contact with Christian Malcharek (#66 DF1 Racing Chevrolet SS) that costed him many positions and resulted in a penalty for the Slovakian driver, who finished 14th.
Eric De Doncker (#98 Insulco Motorsport 98 Ford Mustang) led the Legend Trophy with the ninth position under the checkered flag and Ulysse Delsaux (#3 Tepac RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) rounded out the top-10.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series heads now to Tours Speedway, which will host the final round of the regular season on June 27-28.