Melvin de Groot reclaimed the lead in the first playoff round in Oschersleben – Claudio Remigio Cappelli is right on the Dutchman’s back bumper
Age doesn’t matter and it doesn’t slow you down: the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is proving this with a highly competitive battle for the Legend Trophy for drivers aged 40 and over in the EuroNASCAR 2 Championship. Both title contenders, Melvin de Groot and Claudio Remigio Cappelli, are among the top-10 drivers in the championship and with two races remaining in the 2024 playoffs, the class battle is sure to be one to remember in EuroNASCAR history.
Melvin de Groot entered the playoffs as the leader of the Legend Trophy despite an up-and-down regular season aboard the #69 Team Bleekemolen Toyota Camry. On Sunday in Germany, de Groot regained the lead by winning his class and finishing eighth overall. The Dutchman became the most successful driver in the Legend Trophy with 18 class wins and de Groot is chasing a third consecutive title to tie another record.
Sometimes the highs and lows are close together: Cappelli experienced that in Germany when he scored his first NASCAR win on Saturday, but retired after a crash on Sunday. The Academy / Caffi Motorsport driver is 31 points behind de Groot and needs a perfect weekend to win the Legend Trophy, but the Italian roof maker with the infamous beard still has a chance of claiming his first Legend Trophy title.
Michael Bleekemolen follows in third, just 15 points behind Cappelli. The Dutchman and mastermind behind Team Bleekemolen will turn 75 before the EuroNASCAR Finals at the Circuit Zolder on 12-13 October. The oldest driver on the grid is the dark horse in the battle for the Legend crown, but he could also be a factor in helping his teammate de Groot secure the title. Arianna Casoli is fourth and the leading rider in the Lady Trophy ahead of Luli Del Castello. She is ahead of Roberto Benedetti, Sven van Laere, Giovanni Faraonio, Gordon Barnes, Kenko Miura, Alain Grand, Eric Quintal, Federico Monti and Miguel Gomes.
Featured image by NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
