Thomas Krasonis' triumph in the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division is a story of perseverance and skill, a tale that unfolded over seven years. It's a testament to the unpredictable nature of this series that someone could join and immediately contend for the championship.
The pure V8 machines of the NASCAR Euro Series are unforgiving, requiring drivers to master their power and precision without any driving assists. It's a steep learning curve, and Krasonis dedicated himself to understanding the intricacies of these cars. From setting up the vehicle to outmaneuvering the competition, it's a challenging journey.
But here's where it gets controversial... Krasonis' breakthrough came with PK Carsport, a European stock car racing powerhouse. After a strong season with Marko Stipp Motorsport in 2024, he made the jump to PK over the winter. And what a jump it was!
Valencia: The Greek Sensation Strikes
At the season opener in Valencia, Spain, Krasonis grabbed everyone's attention. He snatched the Stromwatches.com Pole Award, edging out Claudio Capelli by a razor-thin margin of 0.088 seconds. It wasn't a fluke; Krasonis proved his mettle in the season opener, winning the race by almost four seconds ahead of Gil Linster.
But the competition wasn't going to let him have it easy. In the second outing, Krasonis got caught up in an incident with his teammate, Thomas Dombrowski, dropping him to 19th. Meanwhile, the reigning champion, Martin Doubek, took the checkered flag, with Bruno Mulders and Kenko Miura close behind.
Linster, with his consistent performance, left Valencia as the championship points leader, with Miura, Patrick Schober, Melvin de Groot, and Sandro Tavartkildze hot on his trail. Krasonis, despite his earlier win, was only ninth in the standings.
Vallelunga: Krasonis Sets the Pace
Moving on to Autodromo di Valellunga in Italy, Krasonis qualified with a blistering lap, securing another Pole Award. When the green flag dropped, he dominated the first race, leaving Mulders in his dust and winning by a dominant 8.840 seconds.
Doubek, however, had a tough day, finishing 15th due to some mechanical issues. This put Krasonis in a strong position, especially with his consistent performance at Vallelunga.
Krasonis wisely settled for fourth in this race, knowing that every point counted on his journey to the title. He took the points lead after four rounds, with a slim advantage over Schober and Dombrowski. De Groot and Doubek rounded out the top five after two intense races in Italy.
Brands Hatch: Rain, Chaos, and Drama
At Brands Hatch, with a massive crowd of nearly 50,000 fans, Krasonis qualified third, right behind Thomas Toffel and Doubek. The stage was set for an exciting race, but then the heavens opened, turning the Indy Circuit into a slippery, chaotic track.
Pit crews scrambled, and some drivers took risks with their tire choices. Cars spun wildly, and in the chaos, Melvin de Groot seized the opportunity, winning his first NASCAR race. Krasonis, unfortunately, found himself in trouble, finishing 20th.
But on Sunday, under the sun, Krasonis rallied, finishing a strong second behind Doubek. However, the rain-soaked Saturday race had shaken up the championship standings, with de Groot now leading, followed closely by Schober and Doubek. Krasonis found himself in fifth, behind his teammate Dombowski.
Most: Krasonis Dominates on Home Turf
The Autodrom Most in Czechia, Doubek's home turf, saw the veteran qualify with a whisker-thin advantage over Krasonis, but it was the Greek who dominated the race. After a pile-up in Turn 1, Jordan O'Brien initially won, but a penalty moved Krasonis into first.
Krasonis then dominated the Czech NASCAR event, leaving Doubek in his wake. The checkered flag at Autodrom Most marked the end of the regular season, and with the worst result dropped, Krasonis surged into the championship lead, just five points ahead of Doubek.
Oschersleben: Playoffs Begin with a Bang
The NASCAR GP Germany saw Bruno Mulders grab his first Pole Award, with Krasonis qualifying third. Mulders took the win, but Krasonis focused on the championship, finishing second and collecting crucial points. Doubek struggled with handling issues, finishing a disappointing seventh.
On Sunday, Krasonis powered through the field in an epic showdown, winning one of the most thrilling races in NASCAR Euro Series history. He outmaneuvered Mulders, who made a critical error, and left Schober, Cappelli, Linster, Mulders, and Toffel behind. Krasonis extended his championship lead to a commanding 35 points over Doubek after the German races.
Zolder: The Emotional Finale
At Circuit Zolder in Belgium, Krasonis qualified second, knowing the importance of every move. He drove a smart race, backed by the flawless PK Carsport machine, and won the first race. By Saturday, he practically had the championship trophy in his grasp, while Doubek finished a respectable second.
All Krasonis needed to do was start Sunday's race, and with a flawless car, he cruised to a solid third-place finish. While Doubek won the season finale, the title belonged to Krasonis. It was an emotional weekend for the 23-year-old, who finally achieved his dream seven years after joining the series.
Krasonis' journey is a reminder that in the NASCAR Euro Series, it's not enough to just show up and drive. Dominating this category requires an incredible amount of skill and dedication.
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the win; it's about the journey, the learning, and the passion that drives these drivers. Krasonis' achievement, along with the top-3 finishers, will be celebrated at the NASCAR Banquet in Charlotte, USA, on November 21st.
So, what do you think? Is the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division truly the most unpredictable championship? And is dedication the key to success, or is there something else at play? Let's discuss in the comments!
