Kumpen more comfortable heading into Daytona
NASCAR Whelen Euro champion ready for second start at Daytona this Saturday
Anthony Kumpen, Chevrolet
Alexander Trienitz
One year ago, 2016 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion Anthony Kumpen was ready to go to Daytona International Speedway. This year he’s ready to race Daytona.
One of the perks of winning the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is an opportunity to race in the United States as part of the NWES Road to Daytona program and the 2016 champion will take advantage of the opportunity on Saturday.
Kumpen, who also won the title in NWES title in 2014, will make his second straight start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener Saturday at Daytona in the Powershares QQQ 300.
“I’m happy to be coming back to Daytona International Speedway this year,” said Kumpen. “I’m ready for this race on Saturday and looking forward to competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.”
Kumpen will return to compete once again with Precision Performance Motorsports with Leaseplan sponsorship on the car. After going through the ‘Daytona’ experience last year, Kumpen feels he’s more prepared this year.
“The experience I gained last year helped me a lot and I feel more confident going back this year,” he said. “Last year I had to learn about drafting and getting familiar with the track. This year I feel we can work on getting the car quicker and racing this year for a better finish.”
Like any racer Kumpen wants to perform well, but he’s also realistic with his goals in his first of two races scheduled for this season.
I think a top-20 to top-15 finish would be great for me at the track this weekend,” Kumpen said. “I’ve been communicating a lot with the team and I can’t wait to get on the track.”
Kumpen finished 26th in this race last season.
“I really appreciate the Road To Daytona program that the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series,” Kumpen said. “This allows European drivers a chance to come over to the U.S. and compete in NASCAR races. While Daytona is the biggest oval by far I’ll race on, I’m also looking forward to going to race on the road course at Mid-Ohio later this year.”
Kumpen added that if he can put sponsorship together and it works out schedule-wise he’s open to racing more in the states.
“If we can find a way to put it together and it falls between my races in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series I would love to race more NASCAR races over here when I can,” he added.
Kumpen will return to defend his title in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series when the season begins in Spain at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo on April 8.
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