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NASCAR: Jeff Gordon Takes Part In Whelen Euro Series Finals At Zolder

By Marco Venosta

Sep 9, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon (88) looks on prior to qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon (88) looks on prior to qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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After racing at the Dover International Speedway in the third race of the Chase, Jeff Gordon took part in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series finals at Zolder as a grand marshal.

He stole the show during the sunday activities at the Belgian track even if his only duty was to say the usual “drivers start your engines”. But what really matters is simply that the most easily recognizable face in the NASCAR world was there.

Having an important ambassador of the sport at the track was for sure a big boost for the series. This attracts new fans but also proves the bond that exists between this small European division and the big guys that drive the sport back in the United States. NASCAR has not forgotten about all the local series and Gordon’s presence at Zolder proves it. He witnessed how the racing is and the whole atmosphere of the event. The close proximity between fans and drivers is what makes this series so close to the big cousins of the US.

There are still some big differences though. The point that Gordon brought up during a press conference that was set up just for him was the one of the tracks. When asked about the European drivers who try to make the big jump to the american series, he replied that

"The main thing that makes our sport different from other series is oval tracks. Most drivers of our divisions grow up racing on oval tracks. So when a European driver comes over they excel on the road courses because they have great experience of that, but they have to learn how to be an oval track racer. It’s a tough transition. So we need to either have more oval tracks here in Europe that they can race on, or we have to get the European drivers over to America at a younger age."

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has in fact only two oval tracks on the actual calendar, one being the Venray Raceway in the Netherlands and the other the Tours Speedway in France. This for sure doesn’t help a young driver get the experience needed before moving to the larger american ovals. The four-time Sprint Cup Series champion hit the core of the problem perfectly.

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Kumpen and Longin both win the title in their respective division.

For what concerns what happened on the track, the Zolder weekend crowned the champions of the two divisions. In Elite 1 it was Anthony Kumpen to come out on top of the standings. The Belgian driver just needed a win in race one and a seventh in race two to secure the championship. In the Elite 2 division his teammate Stienes Longin looked to be the favourite going into the final round. But a 24th place finish in race 1 on saturday helped Gabriele Gardel get back in contention. Only a win in race 2 on sunday made sure that the other Belgian driver could win the title. Kumpen will be invited to participate in the NASCAR Night Of Champions Touring Series Awards that will be held at the NASCAR Hall Of Fame on December 9.

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