Pastor joins racing elite in All-Star Nascar Gala

MANILA, Philippines - Enzo Pastor, the first Filipino to compete in all 12 Euro Racecar Nascar Touring Car Championship races this year, joins the elite cast of drivers to be honored in the All-Star Nascar Gala, the annual awards night of the organization, on Dec. 14 in the home of Nascar in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After the Nascar season, Pastor landed in the Magic Six of the final standings, a big achievement for a Filipino ranged against Europe’s toughest riders in the demanding circuits of the continent.

Enzo finished second at Circuit Bugatti Le Mans on Oct. 13. Starting from the 10th position, Enzo’s No. 3 car weaved through the competition, eventually making it to the second spot. Even as Pastor and Vincent Gonneau exchanged places several times, an unfortunate accident occurred, causing Gonneau to lose control and allowing Pastor to finish second.

Gonneau filed a protest with the organizers, who then gave Pastor a 30-second penalty even as the former was clearly at fault for his spinout. Nevertheless, Pastor still salvaged a sixth place finish.

“Truly, finishing within the top 10 overall is painstakingly hard enough, and of course, it’s a very good result for a racecar driver just learning the new European racing circuits, and the ropes of an oval circuit at that,” said Tom Pastor, Enzo’s father and the president of the Asian Formula Autosports Foundation, Inc. (AFAFI).

The prestige of being invited to the All-Star Nascar Gala puts him in the circle of Nascar winners from the Sprint Cup, Nationwide, K&N Pro Series, International Whelen Euro Nascar, Mexico Nascar, and Canadian Nascar series.

In his European campaign, Pastor partnered with Formula One visionary Ted Tolema with the support of the Department of Tourism, Petron Corporation and the AFAFI.

“By securing these accomplishments and continuing to make inroads in races globally, Enzo hopes to inspire a new generation of Filipinos to take their places behind their respective wheels and raise the Philippine flag high for all to see on the racetrack,” the elder Pastor said.