The thousands of fans gathered at Brands Hatch for the second edition of the American SpeedFest enjoyed an astounding performances during the weekend.

Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) led all the laps of a hard-fought ELITE 1 Saturday race, conquering his first NASCAR Whelen Euro Series win and the first victory for an Italian driver in a NASCAR sanctioned race. The 21-year old smartly defended his lead from the attacks brought by Frederic Gabillon (#12 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) in a race that showcased how close is the competition in the European NASCAR series in perfect short-track style.

2-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Champion Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) won for the second time this season leading every lap of the ELITE 1 Sunday Race after starting from the pole position. Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) finished second and took the championship lead. Christophe Bouchut (#77 DF-1 Racing by B66 Chevrolet Camaro) finished in third position, while Eddie Cheever III couldn’t match his Saturday performance after a contact with Mathias Lauda (#66 DF-1 Racing by B66 Chevrolet Camaro).

In the Elite 2 Wilfried Boucenna (#33 Overdrive Chevrolet SS) swept the weekend by winning both races. The Frenchman took the lead in the Saturday race with a brilliant overtaking manoeuvre at Paddock Hill Bend on Maxime Dumarey on lap 15 (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS), but on the last lap the two came to contact and Dumarey lost 3 positions. Rookies Denis Dupont (#32 RCP – Marc VDS Toyota Camry) and Thomas Ferrando (#22 Overdrive-Buffalo Chevrolet Camaro) took advantage of the situation to finish respectively second and third.

Boucenna closed the weekend in the best way with his second consecutive win, stretching his lead in the championship standings over his teammate Thomas Ferrando (#22 Overdrive-Buffalo Chevrolet Camaro), who crossed the finish line second. Marsilio Canuti (#77 DF-1 Racing by B66 Chevrolet Camaro) came back from the last place on the grid to finish third.

The next NASCAR Whelen Euro Series races will take at the Tours Speedway, the half-mile oval built in downtown Tours (France) on July 5 and 6.

Wilfried Boucenna (Credit: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard)