DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and NASCAR Peak Mexico Series officials have unveiled a new driver exchange program that will swap two drivers in the two NASCAR international series for one race each.
Reigning NASCAR Peak Mexico Series champion Ruben Garcia Jr. will take part in the NWES season opener at Valencia on April 13-14, while the 2019 Euro NASCAR champion will enter the NPMS finale at Mexico City Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
The Europe-Mexico program comes in the wake of over 25 Euro NASCAR drivers racing in the United States through NWES and last year’s exchange between the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and Canada’s NASCAR Pinty’s Series, which involved Frederic Gabillon and Jean-Francois Dumoulin.
The new program further highlights the many opportunities provided by the NWES to its competitors all over the world.
“More than 25 Euro drivers already raced at every level of NASCAR in the United States, all thanks to their entry in our championship,” said NWES President and CEO Jerome Galpin. “This is another step to continue to develop the Series and provide the best career opportunities to all our drivers. We are very happy to work with our friends from the NASCAR International group and the NASCAR international series in Mexico and Canada to build strong and innovative programs.
“We have great projects all together and this is just the beginning of a much bigger vision.”
A two-time NASCAR Peak Mexico Series champion, NASCAR Drive For Diversity driver and former NASCAR Next member, Garcia will compete in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in the ELITE 1 Division behind the wheel of the No. 1 Alex Caffi Motorsport Toyota Camry for his European debut.
Garcia, who also is competing full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, already boasts two K&N East wins and seven Mexico Series wins despite being just 23 years old.
“I am really excited to go run in the Euro NASCAR Series,” Garcia said. “This is something I have been looking to do for a long time, but the opportunity never showed up until now. Racing in Spain makes this even more special since it is one of my favorite places to visit, and I have friends living there that can come watch me race. I’m really excited and counting the days to get on the flight to Valencia.”
On the European side, the new Driver Exchange Program will be part of the unique list of prizes NASCAR Whelen Euro Series drivers can win. While the NWES Champion will be able to take part in the Mexico City NPMS finale, all winners of NWES trophies and titles will have the opportunity to race in a NASCAR race abroad.
The first leg of the Europe-Mexico Drivers Exchange will take place on April 13-14 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.