Thomas Krasonis' triumph in the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division is a story of perseverance and skill, a tale that unfolded over seven long years. It's a journey that few have dared to embark on, and even fewer have succeeded in.
The NASCAR Euro Series is notorious for its unpredictability, and joining its OPEN division, let alone battling for the championship, is a rare feat. These pure V8 beasts demand respect and mastery, with no driving assists to rely on. It's a steep learning curve, from understanding the car's setup to outmaneuvering fierce competitors.
For Thomas Krasonis, the Greek sensation, his journey began in 2019. He dedicated himself to absorbing every bit of knowledge, and in 2025, his hard work paid off. He conquered the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN title, a victory that was years in the making.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Krasonis joined PK Carsport, a powerhouse team in European stock car racing, over the winter of 2024. With a plan to run double duty in both divisions, he aimed to maximize his seat time and learn from the best. And learn he did!
The season opener at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, was a revelation. Krasonis grabbed the Stromwatches.com Pole Award, edging out Claudio Capelli by a mere 0.088 seconds. It wasn't a fluke; it was a sign of things to come. In the season opener, he dominated, finishing almost four seconds ahead of Gil Linster.
However, the road to victory isn't always smooth. In the second outing, Krasonis got caught up in an incident with his teammate, Thomas Dombrowski, sending him to the back of the pack. Meanwhile, the reigning champ, Martin Doubek, took the checkered flag, with Bruno Mulders and Kenko Miura hot on his trail.
But it was Gil Linster who left Valencia with the championship points lead, closely followed by Miura, Patrick Schober, Melvin de Groot, and Sandro Tavartkildze. Krasonis, despite his earlier win, found himself in ninth place in the standings.
And this is the part most people miss...
The twists and turns of Autodromo di Valellunga in Italy provided the perfect stage for Krasonis to showcase his talent. He qualified with a blistering lap, claiming another Pole Award. When the green flag dropped, he put on a masterclass, leaving Mulders in his dust and winning by a dominant 8.840 seconds.
Martin Doubek, however, had a tough day, finishing a disappointing 15th. This put a dent in his championship hopes against Krasonis, who proved his consistency at Vallelunga.
Despite not having the raw speed to match Doubek or even Dombrowski and Schober, Krasonis played it smart, finishing fourth and racking up crucial points. He took the points lead after four rounds, with a slim advantage over Schober and Dombrowski.
The next stop was Brands Hatch, where nearly 50,000 fans witnessed a legendary moment. Krasonis qualified third, proving his mettle. Then, the rain came, creating chaos and an opportunity for Melvin de Groot to seize his maiden NASCAR race win. Krasonis, however, found himself in trouble, finishing 20th.
But under the sun on Sunday, Krasonis rallied, finishing a strong second behind Doubek and breaking the all-time lap record. The rain-soaked race on Saturday, though, shook up the championship standings, with de Groot leading the pack and Krasonis in fifth.
The OPEN division's unpredictability was on full display in the first three events of 2025.
At Autodrom Most in Czechia, Doubek, the two-time champ, qualified best, but it was Krasonis who dominated the race. After a pile-up in Turn 1, Jordan O'Brien initially took the checkered flag, only to be penalized post-race. This moved Krasonis to first, ahead of O'Brien by a mere 0.013 seconds. Doubek finished fourth, losing ground in the championship hunt.
Krasonis then dominated the Czech NASCAR event, leaving Doubek in his wake. The checkered flag at Autodrom Most marked the end of the regular season, and with it, every driver had to drop their worst result.
Krasonis surged into the championship lead, just five points ahead of Doubek. Melvin de Groot secured third, with Schober and Dombrowski close behind.
The NASCAR GP Germany saw Bruno Mulders grab his first Pole Award, while Krasonis qualified third. Mulders took the win, but Krasonis focused on the championship, finishing second and collecting solid points.
On Sunday, Krasonis powered through a thrilling race, taking the victory in a historic showdown. He outmaneuvered Mulders, who made a critical error, and left Schober, Cappelli, Linster, Mulders, and Toffel behind. Krasonis extended his championship lead to a commanding 35 points over Doubek after the German races.
At Circuit Zolder in Belgium, Krasonis qualified second, knowing a single mistake could cost him the title. He drove a smart race, backed by PK Carsport, and clinched the victory in the first race. By Saturday, he practically had the championship trophy in his grasp, while Doubek finished a respectable second.
Krasonis only needed to start Sunday's race to secure the NASCAR championship. He took the green flag and cruised to a solid third-place finish. While Doubek won the season finale, the coveted title belonged to Krasonis.
Krasonis' journey is a testament to dedication and an unwavering will to learn and master a challenging car. It's a category that demands every ounce of a driver's skill, and Krasonis has proven himself to be among Europe's stock car elite.
His achievement, along with the top-3 finishers and all trophy winners, will be celebrated at the NASCAR Banquet in Charlotte, USA, on November 21st.
So, what do you think? Is the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division truly as unpredictable as it seems? Could anyone have foreseen Krasonis' rise to the top? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
