PK Carsport Confirms Winning Team
Kumpen and Longin in ELITE 1, Stienes Longin full-time in ELITE 2
After an extremely successful first season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in which they conquered all the major titles, Anthony Kumpen, Bert Longin and the whole PK Carsport team immediately decided to confirm their presence in the increasingly popular European NASCAR championship in 2015, fielding again two cars, with the full-time involvement of Stienes Longin in the ELITE 2 Division.
With the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Trophy, the ELITE 2 Division Trophy and the Teams Championship Trophy shining in their troops room, PK Carsport couldn’t start their adventure in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in a better way and obviously both Kumpen and Longin want to build on last year’s success.
DRIVERS: ANTHONY KUMPEN PROFILE | BERT LONGIN PROFILE | STIENES LONGIN PROFILE
CARS: #24 HEINZ PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET SS | #11 HEINZ PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET SS
“The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is a wonderful championship,” says reigning champion Anthony Kumpen, who recently cashed his prize for the 2014 title by finishing a positive 14th in his K&N Pro Series East debut at new Smyrna Speedway, during the Daytona Speedweeks. “Every meeting attracts a lot of spectators, also because the organization ensures that during a weekend so a lot to see and do beside racing. In 2015 the calendar will see the addition of an event in the Netherlands and one in Zolder, for the season finale – we are excited to be again at the start of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.”
“Indeed,” smiled Longin. “I want to take advantage of last year’s experience to make the new season difficultier for Anthony (grins). I’m absolutely and unconditionally going for the title. To reach that goal we will have to do extra practice session on ovals. Oval racing is a lot more difficult than most people think”. The Leuven-native driver also got a taste of NASCAR in the US by racing in a Pro Late Model race at New Smyrna Speedway under the supervision of former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner. “Racing there was amazing! During the race I was fighting for a top-7 and I was really impressed by Mike both as a coach and as a spotter”.
Fielded in a part-time schedule in 2014, in which he collected 3 top-5 and 4 top-10, 23-year-old Stienes Longin, will aim for the ELITE 2 Division title at the wheel of the #11 Chevrolet SS, sharing the car with his father Bert.
“I like everything in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series very much. It gives me a very special feeling to be part of a renowned team like PK Carsport, with experienced drivers like Anthony Kumpen and my father Bert Longin,” said the young Belgian. “I will go for the championship on the #11 Chevy SS in the ELITE 2 Division, while he will drive in the ELITE 1 Division. I’ll be very motivated and I’m looking forward to the two oval races and of course to my home race at Circuit Zolder to be the highlight of the season!”
The team is still evaluating drivers for the second ELITE 2 seat and is looking to expand to three cars in the future and will definitely be among the season’s favorites when the 2015 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series kicks off at Valencia on April 25-26 with the second edition of the Valencia American Fest.
Sources: PK Carsport PR