Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) had the better of poleman Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) at the start of the first round of the 2014 playoffs in Magione, Italy, and after a couple of initial restarts seemed to hold a reassuring lead on the rest of the field. But a late surge by Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) in the closing stages of the 25-laps race put Vilarino’s win at risk, because the Belgian ace rapidly closed the gap on the struggling Spaniard to cross the finish line just one second behind.

“Every race is important in the playoffs and it was fundamental to start in the right foot. After the accident at the Nurburgring, it was very hard for us, so it’s really important to come back with a win”, said Vilarino.