Kevin Gilardoni wraps up his first American stint with a top-5
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Two top10s, one top5, very good performances and above all the awareness of his possibilities highlighted Kevin Gilardoni’s first experiences in the US – with Max Papis’ fundamental support – at the wheel of a stock-car fielded by Lee Faulk Racing.
In less than a month Gilardoni took part in some test session and raced three times in the Limited Late Models division on the .363 miles of the Hickory Motor Speedway. This first period’s goal for Kevin was to learn as quickly as possible the secrets of oval racing and the young Italian driver confirmed his talent under the guidance of experts like Max Papis, Lee Faulk and Michael Faulk, making huge strides and showing a consistently fast pace: two eight places in the first two races became a his first top-5 in the Saturday June 14 race, wrapping up a very positive first stint. On the same day, Gilardoni also set the best time in practice and posted a good sixth time in qualifying, despite his lack of experience in a stock-car with changing weather conditions.
“Every time I jump in the car I’m making progresses, it’s like I started racing all over again,” said Kevin, who is the first Italian young drives to pursue a career in stock-car racing in the US after Papis. “According to the experts we’re doing an excellent job considering my inexperience in this kind of races and I can’t but be happy of their opinion”.
Max Papis, who is guiding and supporting the Italian’s radical career change, was impressed by Gilardoni’s performances in this first stint overseas and by his attitude outside the car: “I’m impressed by how Kevin is adapting to the American way of racing and living. He made huge progresses in less than a month and the top-5 at Hickory is there to demonstrate how committed he is,” said Papis, who is the European driver with most starts in NASCAR. “There is still a lot to learn and to improve, but he’s showing me has the right attitude to emerge”.
After starting the season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, Gilardoni e Papis choose to concentrate their efforts on the American side, entrusting the expert hands of the Faulk family to prepare both car and driver to race on ovals.
“We are all very excited to be working with Kevin. He’s a really good kid overall and has a great ability to listen and apply what he learns to the track. There's no doubt this is only the beginning for him and we look forward to sharing in the success with him for the near future ."” said Michael Faulk, Lee Faulk Racing’s Team Manager.
Gilardoni’s plans now include a rally program in Italy and a return in the States in August to keep progressing and do every day a better job to emerge in stock-car racing.
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Kevin Gilardoni
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Gian Luca Guiglia
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Website
CONTACTS
Kevin Gilardoni
www.kevingilardoni.com
Press Officer
Gian Luca Guiglia
Tel. +39 335 16 97 677
gguiglia@gmail.com
Skype: giannazzo_138
Twitter: @gian_138