Eddie Cheever debuts in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series with a top-5, a huge comeback and the third place in the standings
 
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season opener saw Eddie Cheever score an extremely convincing debut at the wheel of a stock-car. The driver of the #51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS left Spain with a top-5 and the third place in the general classification, knowing he can challenge for the win.

“My Chevy was really fast and we could aim for the pole position, but we didn’t find the ideal conditions,” said the 20-year-old from Rome, Italy at the end of a nail-biting qualifying session in which the top-5 drivers were separated by just 2 tenths of a second. Eddie posted a very good third time, despite some local yellow flags preventing him from finding the ideal lap.

In the Saturday Race he battled for the top-3 but had some difficulties finding a fast pace on the long run. He managed to come home fourth, second in the Junior category that rewards drivers aged 25 or less.

24 hours later, in the Sunday Race, Eddie delighted the over 14,000 fans gathered at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia with a great comeback. He started tenth and gained several positions, but an early contact sent him at the back of the field. After a restart with just 15 minutes to go in the 30-minutes sprint race, Cheever then passed car after car and brought the  #51 Chevrolet SS to the fifth place under the checkered flag.

“We were very strong during the entire race, even with worn tires. That initial contact was really a shame, because we showed we had the pace to fight to win the race,” he said.

Thanks to the 78 points scored in the Valencian Community, Eddie now sits third in the overall ELITE 1 division standings - just 5 lengths from the top - and leads the Jerome Sarran Trophy classification for Junior drivers.

"It was a very positive weekend because we left Valencia third in the points and very near to the guys in front of us. We were very fast in every session and I'm really confident for the next race," said Cheever, who raced for the first time on a stock-car. "My first experience in NASCAR was a lot of fun thanks also to the paddock’s atmosphere. I was struck by the presence of so many fans, and especially families enjoying the attractions and the chance to share their passion with the drivers".

The next round of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will take place on June 7-8 in England, on the Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch – a track where Cheever already raced at the wheel of a Formula 3 – and promises to be even more exciting.

Contacts
Eddie Cheever III
website: www.eddiecheever.net
Twitter: @eddiecheever24
Facebook: Eddie Cheever
 

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