Imagine dedicating years to your passion, constantly pushing your limits, and finally achieving a dream that seemed just out of reach. That's exactly what Melvin de Groot did in the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series! But it wasn't just a victory; it was a statement that age is truly just a number. He didn't just win the Legend Trophy (for drivers 45+); he conquered it, proving his skill and determination against seasoned competitors. And Happinessa seized the Lady Trophy, marking a triumphant debut season.
De Groot's remarkable 2025 season culminated in securing his third Legend Trophy title at the NASCAR Euro Series Finals held at Circuit Zolder. This achievement alone would be a career highlight for many. But 2025 held even greater triumphs for the Dutch driver. He clinched his first-ever overall victory in a breathtaking, rain-soaked race at Brands Hatch while fiercely challenging for the overall OPEN title in his #69 Team Bleekemolen Toyota Camry. This incredible season has fueled de Groot's ambitions, leading him to boldly declare his intention to fight for even more glory in 2026, not just in the Legend Trophy, but also in the overall OPEN championship battle. It's an ambitious goal, and many are wondering if he can pull it off.
Meanwhile, the rising star Happinessa, representing Bremotion, dominated the Lady Trophy, marking an impressive entrance onto the EuroNASCAR scene.
Valencia and Vallelunga: Laying the Foundation
De Groot's success isn't just about raw speed; a huge part of it is his consistency. He consistently maximizes his points in every race, a strategy that proved crucial in the opening rounds of the 2025 season. At the Valencia circuit in Spain, he secured the first Legend Trophy of the season on Saturday and followed it up with a second-place finish on Sunday, just behind Kenko Miura, who celebrated his first overall podium finish in seven years. Talk about a comeback!
Miura's podium secured him the early lead in the overall Legend Trophy standings. But here's where it gets controversial... Miura's limited appearances throughout the season allowed de Groot to capitalize and build a significant lead in the standings. At the next round in Italy (Vallelunga), de Groot narrowly lost to Claudio Cappelli in the first race but retaliated with a victory in the second. These consistent top-five finishes gave de Groot a comfortable lead as he headed into the most attended round of the year: the NASCAR GP UK at the iconic Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.
In the Lady Trophy competition, Arianna Casoli initially gained the upper hand, outperforming her new rival Happinessa at the season opener in Valencia. But things took a dramatic turn... at Casoli's home race in Italy. A frightening incident on Saturday involved both drivers, resulting in an injury that unfortunately ended Casoli's participation in the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series OPEN division. This was a huge blow to the season, as many fans were looking forward to a fierce rivalry between the two.
Brands Hatch: A Victory to Remember
The weather took center stage at Brands Hatch as the heavens opened just as the OPEN drivers prepared for their first race. The treacherous rain conditions tested the skills of every driver, leading to one of the most dramatic races in OPEN history. De Groot skillfully navigated the chaos, making a decisive pass on Thomas Toffel in the closing laps to secure his first overall victory. It was a dream come true for the Dutchman, who celebrated his triumph in style, proving he could compete and win against the best drivers in the division.
De Groot continued to demonstrate his speed in dry conditions, narrowly missing out on another overall podium finish in the second race, securing yet another Legend Trophy win. This dominant performance at Brands Hatch not only extended his lead in the Legend Trophy standings but also propelled him to the top of the overall OPEN standings as the series entered its summer break. It marked the first time de Groot had led the overall standings, and he was determined to maintain and extend his lead when the season resumed at Autodrom Most for the 2025 NASCAR GP Czech Republic.
With Casoli sidelined, Happinessa claimed the Lady Trophy victories in the UK. And this is the part most people miss... While she was thrilled with her wins, she admitted that the victories felt different without her main rival on the track, highlighting the respect and competitive spirit between the two drivers. Does this suggest that competition drives athletes to perform even better?
Most and Oschersleben: Navigating Challenges
De Groot started strong for the first OPEN race at Most after a promising qualifying session. However, mechanical issues forced him to start from the pit lane, putting him at a significant disadvantage. Despite this setback, the resilient Dutchman fought his way back to seventh place, earning his fifth Legend Trophy of 2025. He mirrored this result in the second race, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most consistent drivers in the division.
Cappelli emerged as de Groot's main rival for the Legend Trophy at Most and then truly shone in Oschersleben. The Italian driver dominated, winning both class races and securing top-five overall finishes. De Groot, on the other hand, faced a challenging weekend, finishing outside the top-10 for the first time. While he still managed to secure second place in the special classification, the points lost to the overall leaders, combined with Cappelli's gains in the first Playoffs round, forced him to shift his focus to defending his Legend Trophy lead in the NASCAR Euro Series Finals. Happinessa continued her impressive learning curve with the powerful EuroNASCAR stock cars in the Czech Republic and Germany, adding more Lady Trophy wins to her tally.
Zolder: Sealing the Deal
Heading into the Finals in Belgium, only 25 points separated de Groot and Cappelli. While this might seem like a comfortable lead, the double points awarded at the Finals, combined with the lessons learned from Germany, meant that de Groot needed to execute two perfect races to maintain his advantage. And that's exactly what he did. He fought off Cappelli to win the Legend Trophy in the first race and then drove a calculated race in the second to secure the overall victory. Happinessa also clinched the Lady Trophy championship, her first special classification title in her debut season in the series. What an achievement!
Both de Groot and Happinessa, as the winners of the Legend and Lady Trophies, will be honored at the NASCAR Banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina. For de Groot, his fifth-place finish in the OPEN standings marked his best year to date, fueling his determination to not only win more Legend Trophies but also to finish in the top three overall in the 2026 championship.
De Groot's story is one of perseverance and ambition. Do you think he has what it takes to achieve his goal of finishing in the top three overall in 2026? And what aspects of Happinessa's driving style do you think contributed most to her success in her debut season?
