Three-time NWES Champion and all-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series winningest driver Ander Vilarino is back! The Spaniard will return to Euro NASCAR joining Racing Engineering to drive the #48 Ford Mustang with the goal to bring the title to the Spanish team and write history once again.
With three titles in four seasons, a record 20 career wins, 33 podium finishes and 8 pole positions, Ander Vilarino is an icon of NASCAR in Europe. The Spaniard, who won the NWES title in 2012, 2013 and 2015 will make a spectacular comeback. Vilarino’s love for NASCAR and the opportunity to race for Racing Engineering have been key in his return behind the wheel of a Euro NASCAR car. His ties with Racing Engineering go back to 2001, when Vilarino won the first ever Spanish Formula 3 Championship with the organization founded by Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón.
“I love NASCAR. I raced in many series in my career, but the Pure Racing spirit of Euro NASCAR is the one I enjoyed the most. I was motivated to come back and when the opportunity came to return with Racing Engineering I was more than happy to take it,” said Vilarino. “Coming back with them is really special. We parted ways before the 2002 season in what I believe was a mistake on my part and now we have the chance to get back together and I couldn’t be happier.”
Vilarino’s experience is vast and eclectic. The Hondarribia, Spain native boasts 7 European titles and 2 Spanish title across several disciplines and his deep knowledge of NWES and the Euro NASCAR car will definitely help the team to hit the ground running in their first NASCAR season.
“My experience can be useful for sure. Racing Engineering won titles at every level and they are a top team, but with my knowledge we may be able to work quicker towards good solutions,” said Vilarino, who had the chance to test the NWES car at Fontenay Le Comte twice during the winter and immediately found the feeling he remembered with the V8 beast. “When I climbed in the car, pushed the throttle and felt that typical character of the Euro NASCAR car, everything came back to me and I loved it immediately.”
The Spaniard’s return will definitely make the battle for the 2019 Euro NASCAR title one for the ages.
“The cars evolved and are much quicker now, but the spirit is the same and the competition is very tight. There are strong veterans who battled with me in the past and new young opponents looking for a place to shine. We want to do our best and fight at the front,” concluded the 39-year old three-time champion.
Vilarino and Racing Engineering will make their debut on home soil at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on April 13-14 for the 2019 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season opener.
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