The thunder is returning to the European continent, and Swiss standout Thomas Toffel is ready to put the field on notice. As the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season approachs, Toffel has officially confirmed he will be back behind the wheel of the #34 Race Art Technology machine, taking on the grueling challenge of competing in both the V8GP and OPEN divisions.
Coming off a developmental cycle that saw him balance his life in the real estate sector with pure door-to-door racing, Toffel enters the new campaign with a sharpened focus. However, the 2026 season isn’t just a “rinse and repeat” of years past. A series of technical shake-ups from the league office has leveled the playing field, leaving even the most decorated veterans with work to do.
The series has issued a fresh technical directive for 2026, introducing a strictly mandated package that includes shocks and specific spring rates designed to increase the competition. With the stricter rules and smaller operation windows for the car setup, the mechanical grip of these beasts will feel a bit different than they did last fall.
“I don’t want to say anything about my goals at the moment,” Toffel admitted during his season announcement. “We never know the level of the new drivers, and for sure, the changes to the technical rules in terms of setup will bring challenges for the experienced teams and drivers.”
While Toffel is playing his cards close to his vest regarding trophy hunting, his confidence remains unshakable. “The only thing I promise is that I am more ready than ever to begin the 2026 championship.” After scoring an OPEN Strom Watches Pole Award in Brands Hatch and being competitive at the front of both championships in 2025, the Swiss wants to make the final step to Victory Lane and title contention.
Running both V8GP and OPEN is a feat of endurance that few drivers attempt and even fewer master. It requires a mental “reset” button every time the driver climbs through the window, switching from the aggressive, high-stakes sprint of the V8GP division to the tactical, points-heavy battles of OPEN.
For the Swiss native, his hobbies of fitness and general motorsport are more than just pastimes; they are the training ground for the physical toll the #34 will take on him across double-header weekends. As the garage prepares for the season opener, all eyes will be on how Toffel and his crew adapt to the new technical specs. If they can find the “sweet spot” in the setup early, Toffel could be the dark horse that disrupts the championship standings. The green flag is waving on a new era, and Thomas Toffel is strapped in and ready for the ride.
NASCAR Euro Series PR