The NASCAR Euro Series Rookie Challenge started their fourth round of the 2026 season at Autodromo di Vallelunga with two drivers sharing the lead at the top of the standings: Speedhouse contender Yann Cristovao and Team Bleekemolen rookie Sandro Kajaia. Cristovao and Kajaia continued their fight in Italy with consistent times in the two 30-minute timed sessions that were held at the demanding 4.085 kilometer circuit located close to Rome. While both drivers made it to the top-3 positions, it was Cristovao who gained the upper hand with his maiden victory in the regularity-based division.
Cristovao immediately set the benchmark by topping the first timed session. A second place finish for the driver of the #4 Ford Mustang in the second session, coupled with bonus points that he received for his fast target times, was enough for the Frenchman to top the classifications and become the sole overall leader in the standings. With only the NASCAR Euro Series Finals remaining, Cristovao will be the leading candidate to win the title in Belgium.
“It’s incredible!” said Cristovao after the celebrations in Victory Lane. “It’s been a very good day and I’m very happy for my first win this season. I’m now first in the standings and I’m very happy. Thanks to my family and my sponsors, now we go to the Finals at Zolder!”
The driver who beat Cristovao for the top spot in the second session was Nicole Davidson. The Scottish racer combined this performance with a third place result in the first session to finish second overall, beating Kajaia who collected important points for his title bid. Gianni Lasserre and Henrik Peters, who completed the top-5 positions, were only one and two points away from the Georgian in total weekend points scored. Nuno Caetano, Andreas Kuchelbacher, Robin Bleekemolen, Marc-Antoine D’Amour and Bence Varga rounded the top-10 positions. Jacob Parry, who took two round wins in 2026, had to settle for 12th after two difficult sessions.
Cristovao’s win puts him 12 points ahead of Kajaia and 39 points ahead of Parry, but the NASCAR Euro Series Finals offers double points for Rookie Challenge. The double points meant that all three drivers still have a strong chance to become the champion. Double points will also give Peters and Kuchelbacher an outside chance to win the title at the Finals. The German and the Austrian were 48 and 51 points behind Cristovao respectively with more than 160 points still on offer at Circuit Zolder.
With the Rookie Challenge sessions completed, the focus on the NASCAR GP Italy shifts to the main show that will be delivered by the V8GP and OPEN drivers. The Playoffs is now in full force and with double points races and no dropped points remaining, competitors need to maximize their potential if they want to be the best in the pack. Be sure to check out https://www.nascar.eu/watch/ to find out where you can watch the Semi-Finals action from Autodromo di Vallelunga in Italy!
NASCAR Euro Series PR
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