Advait Deodhar becomes first Indian to win a EuroNASCAR race: NWES

Brands Hatch, 3 July 2021: Advait Deodhar created history by becoming the first Indian to not only take pole position but win a EuroNASCAR race at the Indy Circuit on Saturday.

He held off Tobias Dauenhauer to win Race 1 of Round 3 of NASCAR2 Whelen Euro Series at Brands Hatch on Saturday.

The 2018 European NASCAR Elite Club champion, Deodhar of CAAL Racing, in a #56 Ford Mustang, led from start to finish, surviving a caution restart to win his first-ever EuroNASCAR career race. He also claimed the fastest lap with Tobi Dauenhauer second and the shadow of Francesco Garisto in third in the first race of the Round 3. The London-based Indian is supported by TJB SuperYachts and Strange Brew.

You can watch the race video at YouTube Auto Track here.

Race Report by BY ANDRÉ WIEGOLD

Advait Deodhar made a lifetime dream come true at his home track of Brands Hatch, UK. The Indian living in London grabbed the maiden win of his NASCAR Whelen Euro Series career at the 1.94 kilometer Indy Circuit. Deodhar led all 30 laps and defended his lead against a charging Tobias Dauenhauer, who ended up second at the wheel of the #50 Hendriks Motorsport Ford Mustang, reported euronascar.com

Starting from the pole for his 21st EuroNASCAR 2 race which began on dry conditions, Deodhar successfully held on to the lead on the start and kept Dauenhauer at bay in the first few laps despite all the attempts the German made. The race was halted not too long after, however, as contact between Hollamby and Leevi Lintukanto sent the No. 23 Barot’s Camaro in the gravel trap at Paddock Hill, ending the Finn’s race early.

After a lengthy Safety Car period, the race was restarted with Deodhar successfully managing to keep the lead once again. Deodhar was pressured by Dauenhauer throughout the race, but the 31-year old Indian driver showcased his experience by putting a masterclass in a defensive race, keeping the German at bay and skillfully getting past the lapped cars on his way to score his first career victory in the EuroNASCAR 2 division, crossing the finish line 0.433 ahead of Dauenhauer.

“I will never forget this moment in my life”, said Deodhar, who posted the fastest lap and thus also secured pole for the race on Sunday. “I need to pinch myself because I cannot believe I have won. It was a tough race with Tobias at my back bumper during all laps of this round. Thanks to CAAL Racing for giving me an awesome car. It was only the second win of my life and it’s something very special to score one here at Brands Hatch.”

Starting from fifth place, Francesco Garisto was on a mission in EuroNASCAR 2 Round 3 at the wheel of the #17 42 Racing Shadow DNM8. The Italian overtook his fellow countryman Alberto Panebianco and settled down in third. He crossed the finish line on that position but was demoted back to seventh after a post-race penalty for an avoidable collision with Panebianco.

Simon Pilate inherited third place with a strong run after a safety car period that was triggered by Levi Lintukanto on lap 3. The Finn got stuck in the gravel of Paddock Hill Bent and the caution was necessary to clear the turn. Green flags waved again on lap 11 and Pilate powered his way up to fourth after passing his DF1 Racing teammate Justin Kunz and Not Only Motorsport’s Panebianco.

Deodhar gets maiden pole before the rain

Earlier, Advait Deodhar scored his first ever NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Pole Position at Brands Hatch on Saturday. The Indian, who’s living in London, clocked a 49.918-lap and beat Tobias Dauenhauer by 0.192 seconds. Deodhar had some help from the skies as rain started to fall right around the half-time of the 30-minute session. NWES rookie Miguel Gomes spun with his slick tires and triggered a short red flag period.

As the session resumed, the track prevented teams and drivers from driving faster laps so a lot of V8 engines stayed quiet until the end. Only Michael Bleekemolen and Yevgen Sokolovskiy tried out their cars on wet tires. DF1 Racing’s Justin Kunz was third quickest ahead of the impressive EuroNASCAR 2 rookie Alberto Panebianco at the wheel of the #89 Not Only Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro. The Italian also topped the Rookie Trophy standings.

42 Racing’s Fracesco Garisto completed the top-5 with a 0.594-gap from the pole setter. Valencia double winner Martin Doubek followed in sixth ahead of Max Lanza and Simon Pilate. Pierluigi Veronesi and Sokolovskiy, who led the Legend Trophy standings, closed the top-10. Alina Loibnegger beat Arianna Casoli in the battle for the best starting position in the Lady Trophy.

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will be back in action on Sunday for Rounds 4 of the 2021 season. The NASCAR GP UK will continue at 1:43 pm CET with the EuroNASCAR PRO race, while the EuroNASCAR 2 race will follow at 4:58 pm CET. All races will be broadcasted live on EuroNASCAR’s social media platforms – YouTube, Facebook, Twitch – and Motorsport.tv.