A renowned U.S. NASCAR team will join the NASCAR Euro Series for the 2025 season with the #30 Ford Mustang: Rette Jones Racing will enter the European NASCAR stage as the team has signed Liam Hezemans for the PRO division, while Gil Linster will take the wheel in the OPEN championship. The car will be serviced by Roy Hendriks' Hendriks Motorsport, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR Euro Series history. Everything is new, but Hezemans and Linster will be competing in an environment they know from past seasons.
Hezemans is the 2022 OPEN champion and has already won more than one race in PRO. The Dutchman has already parked his car in the PRO victory lane four times, making him a fierce title contender in NASCAR in Europe. His teammate Linster will once again compete in the OPEN division, where he already has two career race wins. Both drivers have spent a lot of time together in the USA and have signed with Rette Jones Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season.
The organization led by Terry Jones and Mark Rette has extensive experience in US stock car racing. The team has competed in more than 150 races in the various divisions of the ARCA Menards Series, as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. By establishing a presence in Europe, the team will make its first international NASCAR steps with Hendriks Motorsport as a dedicated partner by its side. With Hezemans and Linster, the team can also count on two drivers with extensive EuroNASCAR experience.
"This is a proud day for our Rette Jones Racing team," said team co-owner Rette. "Since late last year, we've been exploring opportunities to expand our platform internationally, and entering the NASCAR Euro Series with Gil and Liam is a perfect fit for our organization. We're thrilled to partner with two proven, winning drivers and to be technically aligned with Hendriks Motorsport - one of the most respected teams in the NASCAR Euro Series."
"I am very excited to join Rette Jones Racing for the 2025 season," said Hezemans. "The opportunity to represent an American team in the NASCAR Euro Series is a big step for me, and I'm proud to be a part of this new chapter. With the experience and resources this team brings to the table, I'm confident we'll be able to compete for wins and contend for the championship right from the start."
Linster added: "I am very proud to continue my journey in the NASCAR Euro Series with Rette Jones Racing. This opportunity means a lot - especially having the support of an American team with such a strong reputation. Racing in ARCA at Daytona last year was a huge moment in my motorsport career and I'm looking forward to building on the relationships I've made in the United States as I continue to grow as a driver. I'm confident that this partnership will help me take another step forward in my career."
Jerome Galpin, CEO and founder of the NASCAR Euro Series, is pleased to welcome Rette Jones Racing for the 2025 season: "Welcoming Rette Jones Racing to the NASCAR Euro Series is another exciting step in the journey we began in 2009 to build stronger transatlantic ties within the NASCAR family. As a well-respected and competitive team in American NASCAR racing, their arrival brings another valuable experience, professionalism and fresh energy to our paddock. More and more drivers and U.S.-based teams are recognizing the huge opportunities our European championship offers, both on and off the track. This is a great moment for the series and for the global growth of NASCAR.
"We are very excited about what this expansion means for Rette Jones Racing," said team co-owner Terry Jones. "Competing in the NASCAR Euro Series is a big step for us, and it opens the door for even more international opportunities. Liam and Gil are both talented, motivated drivers, and we're looking forward to not only supporting them in Europe, but also building a path for them to race in the United States as part of our long-term vision."
Team co-owner Mark Rette, along with newly appointed Vice President of Business Operations Greg Zipadelli, will oversee the NASCAR Euro Series program, which will be based in Europe. Zipadelli is a renowned crew chief who has worked with Tony Stewart and Joey Logano throughout his career.
Rette Jones Racing's goal is not only to be competitive right away when the season kicks off April 12-13 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, but also to provide a pathway for European drivers to compete in NASCAR races in the U.S. Qualifying and races will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR's YouTube channel and on numerous television networks around the world.