NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champ Kumpen to make XFINITY debut
Reigning NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion Anthony Kumpen will embark on a racing program in the United States that will involve three NASCAR XFINITY Series races and one NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race, beginning in July, as part of the Nexteer Road To Daytona program.
After competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kumpen will enter XFINITY Series races at Iowa Speedway (Aug. 1), Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 14) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 21).
The Nexteer Road To Daytona program was designed by Nexteer and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series to give European drivers an opportunity to run NASCAR events in the United States.
"I'm really excited about this program," said Kumpen, who hails from Belgium and made his United States NASCAR debut in February at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida."The NASCAR K&N Pro Series is already at a very high level and the NASCAR XFINITY Series will be even tougher. "The goal for me is to gain experience, but my main goal is to finish all races. I'm not setting any bar; I want just to finish all the races and then see what we can do for the next year. To race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series is already a big step for me.
" ... Personally, it is a dream come true, and I'm really excited to go to the U.S. again."
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, formerly known as the Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series, is an official NASCAR stock-car racing series based in Europe. The series was founded in 2008 and formally launched in 2009.
"Anthony has been a tremendous ambassador for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and NASCAR," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "This program is what the series is all about, providing the opportunity for drivers to compete in NASCAR in Europe and also move up the NASCAR ladder in the United States. We look forward to watching Anthony represent the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series this summer."
