After being absent in the 2020 season due to the global pandemic, Advait Deodhar is all set to return to the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series for the 2021 season. Advait, 31, will drive the number #56 Chevrolet SS for the Italian team CAAL Racing.
Advait, who is based in London, but originally from Mumbai made his EuroNASCAR 2 debut back in 2018 with DF1 Racing competing in the junior class. That very year, he earned himself the title of becoming the first Indian to win a competition in the European NASCAR series by winning the Club Challenge title. He then shifted to the Elite 2 category in 2019 driving for DF1 Racing, but he unfortunately had to stop, after only driving the first race because of financial issues, as he was self funded and didn't have sponsors backing him. He was replaced by Lasse Sorensen from the second round. But despite the setback, he did not give up his dream to compete and secured a position to race with CAAL Racing. The Italian team signed him to race at Brands Hatch where he finished second making him the second Asian driver to score a podium finish in the Series. He eventually finished the season in fourth place. Advait had plans to continue racing with the Italian team but remained absent for the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
For 2021, Advait will continue to race with CAAL Racing and will be supported by TJB Super Yachts, the company for which he works as a yacht broker. Although no opportunity to test with the team during pre-season will bring some extra challenges for him, he is quite comfortable with the team and the car because of his strong performance in the 2019 season. He says, "I think we have a strong base but it will be a challenge to jump back into the right without any testing, I know the track in Valencia, I raced there twice so I’m really looking forward to the season opener in May. I will give my best to fight for the championship.”
Advait is well aware of his competition and that is why he is set to “give 110 percent on and off track” when the Series commences at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain on May 15.