Eddie Cheever triumphs in Magione in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Semifinals
Magione (Perugia) - The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Playoffs couldn't start in a better way for Eddie Cheever III. The Rome-native CAAL Racing driver obtained the third pole position and the second win of his young NASCAR career in the fifth round of the European NASCAR Series, which took place at the Autodromo dell'Umbria in Magione. Eddie also won the Jerome Sarran Trophy classification in both races and is now fifth in the championship classification, with a gap from the top that narrowed after the Italian Semi Finals.
The extraordinary weekend of the CAAL Racing's Chevrolet SS #51 Tender Capital started on saturday morning, when Eddie delighted the fans on the grandstands with a nail-biting qualifying session that put him on the pole by just .052 seconds, relegating two-time reigning champion and current points leader Ander Vilarino to second place. Cheever also mathematically won the Race and Win Pole Award, rewarding with a prestigious watch the driver scoring the highest number of pole positions during the season. In the Saturday Race, in front of the splendid crowd that invaded the Autodromo dell'Umbria, Eddie scored a podium finish that was important both for the championship and the Jerome Sarran Trophy classification.
But the best was yet to come, because in the Sunday Race, with lots of fans crowding the stands, Cheever put up a great show by winning a fundamental and incredibly close race. After starting from the third place on the grid, in the first corner Eddie found his way to the lead in his home race. For 25 laps, the breath taking battle between him and Vilarino kept the Italian fans on their feet until the checkered flag waved and Cheever crossed the finish line in front by just over 2 tenths of a second in front of the rival.
“We have been super competitive all weekend long, the team did an outstanding job and gave me a fantastic car. On Saturday we posted the pole position, something that makes me particularly proud because in my first season in NASCAR I have summed up more poles than everyone else. In the Saturday Race we had some setup problems that slowed us a little bit, but we managed to bring home a good podium finish and score important points. We solved the setup problems for the Sunday Race and I was able to push right from the start. It was hard, but to win in front of my home crowd is something special. I want to dedicate this win to my mother, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday. This was my gift for her,” commented Eddie. “I will go on the attack again in Le Mans, I'm still in contention and I will try to win this title until the end. It will be hard and I will need some luck, but I will do all I can to be ready if my opportunity will come”.
Cheever wanted to thank the Italian fans: “It was fantastic to see the grandstands of an Italian circuit so full of passion. It gives the driver something more. Each and every time we passed in front of the grandstand we eared a roar. I want to thank every person that came to the track for our races”.
After the Semi Finals, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will go to Le Mans on October 11 and 12 for the Finals. Just like in Italy, the final round of the championship will award double points and will represent a good occasion for Cheever, who is fifth in points and sits 38 points back from the leader, to try to bring home the Euro NASCAR title in his already astonishing rookie season.
Contacts
Eddie Cheever III
website: www.eddiecheever.net
Twitter: @eddiecheever24
Facebook: Eddie Cheever
Press Officer
Gian Luca Guiglia
email: gguiglia@gmail.com
Twitter: @gian_138
Skype: giannazzo_138
Tel: +39 335 16 97 677