Eddie Cheever III exits Brands Hatch still second in points

Brands Hatch, Great Britain - The third round of the 2015 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, taking place on the historical track of Brands Hatch, attracted once again tens of thousands of fans, giving them the chance to see and meet their favorite drivers on the ELITE 1 starting grid on Sunday. Eddie Cheever III lived a double-faced weekend, with great performances on track but without the results he hoped for, due to some race events prevented him from stepping on the podium in both races. Thanks to a smart strategy though, Cheever is now still second in points, few lengths behind the leader.

Eddie Cheever’s English race weekend started well in practice, with the Italian driver posting the fastest time in FP1, and gaining a spot on the first row qualifying. In the first American Speedfest's ELITE 1 race, Cheever led some laps and was holding on to the second place when a contact in restart after the safety car period forced him to a huge comeback late in the race. The #51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS ended up fourth under the checkered flag, less than 3 seconds behind the winner.

On Sunday, during the pre-race procedures, all the fans had the chance to visit the starting grid, a fantastic occasion to meet their idols. After Race 1, Cheever and his crew-chief opted for some changes in the car's setup and the move proved successful because the #51 SS became faster and more drivable. The Italian started seventh on the grid and he was able to gain ground easily, moving up to fifth and then fourth, just behind reigning champion Anthony Kumpen. On lap 15, a contact between Cheever and Kumpen costed the CAAL Racing driver a drive through that put him at the back of the group. On lap 21, a providential safety car compacted the field and Cheever started another great comeback to the ninth place under the checkered flag. A results way below the Italian’s ambitions, but real important for the title chase.

"It was a positive weekend anyway, we were able to gain some more points but, in part for some bad luck, in part for a too aggressive behaviour, we got less than expected. However, the most important thing is to have gained important points for the title battle and that I'm yet second in the standings. The next round is Tours Speedway, I have good memories about it. Last year I got my first pole on a oval track there and I finished second in the Knauf 75." commented the Rome-native driver, surprised by the passion of the English fans. "Brands Hatch is one of my favorite events in the calendar, the track is simply amazing, very technical and fascinating. But what I love most is the passion of the fans, which is something unique. The grandstands really full and the wall of people that invaded the starting grid are simply amazing. There’s nothing better than a child who ask for a photo or an autograph. It's difficult to explain with words what you feel when you live this."

Jeffrey Earnhardt, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and nephew of the great Dale "The Intimidator” Earnhardt, was the special guest of the American Speedfest's third edition. It was a great occasion for Cheever to know better the U.S. NASCAR world: "Having Jeffrey with us was amazing, it's the demonstration of how much NASCAR supports and follows the European Series. I had the chance to race against Jeffrey and I could chat with him during all the weekend.What the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is doing for the the young drivers in Europe is fantastic, as is the chance to go racing in the US with the Nexteer Road To Daytona program!"

The next EuroNASCAR round is scheduled for the end of June in France, on the Tours Speedway oval, where last year Cheever conquered his first pole on an oval track and finished second in the Saturday race.

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

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