In a heart-stopping climax that left fans on the edge of their seats, Davit Kajaia snatched the 2025 Challenger Trophy from the jaws of defeat in the final seconds of the NASCAR Euro Series season. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it sheer skill, luck, or a combination of both that propelled the Georgian rookie to victory? Let’s dive into the thrilling journey that crowned Kajaia as the ultimate underdog champion.
The 2025 NASCAR Euro Series was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially in the PRO division’s Challenger Trophy battle. Claudio Cappelli seemed unstoppable, entering Circuit Zolder with a commanding points lead. Yet, in a twist that no one saw coming, Davit Kajaia of Team Georgia by Marko Stipp Motorsport seized the title in a tiebreaker after both drivers finished the season deadlocked on points. This is the story of Kajaia’s meteoric rise—a tale of resilience, adaptability, and raw talent.
Valencia: A Dream Debut
Kajaia’s journey began at Spain’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, where he and fellow Georgian Sandro Tavartkiladze made their NASCAR debut. Despite a last-minute entry, Kajaia stunned everyone with a 13th-place finish in qualifying, securing second place in the Challenger Trophy class. His performance was a testament to his touring car racing experience, which allowed him to quickly tame the beastly NASCAR machines. On Sunday, the 41-year-old cemented his potential with a 14th-place finish and his first Challenger Trophy victory—a dream start that hinted at greater things to come.
Vallelunga and Brands Hatch: Overcoming Adversity
At the NASCAR GP Italy in Vallelunga, Kajaia faced his first real test. Qualifying 18th, he battled through a challenging weekend, finishing 21st in the first race before rebounding to 16th in the second. His third-place finish in the Challenger Trophy showcased his tenacity. Brands Hatch proved equally demanding, but Kajaia’s consistency paid off. Qualifying 15th, he secured a 12th-place finish on Saturday, clinching another Challenger Trophy win, and followed it up with a 14th-place finish on Sunday—keeping Cappelli within striking distance. And this is the part most people miss: Kajaia’s ability to adapt to new tracks and conditions was the cornerstone of his success.
Most and Oschersleben: The Grind Continues
Autodrom Most and Motorsport Arena Oschersleben tested Kajaia’s mettle. At Most, he qualified 17th and finished 20th on Saturday, followed by an 18th-place finish and a fourth in the Challenger Trophy on Sunday. Oschersleben, a technical nightmare, saw him qualify 18th but deliver a stunning top-10 finish on Saturday, earning third in the Challenger Trophy. However, Sunday’s retirement dealt a crushing blow to his title hopes. Yet, with Cappelli’s lead looking insurmountable, Kajaia’s fighting spirit never wavered. After all, as the saying goes, it’s not over until the checkered flag waves.
Zolder: The Unthinkable Finale
The season’s climax at Circuit Zolder was nothing short of cinematic. Cappelli’s 21st-place qualifying run hinted at trouble, while Kajaia, back with Marko Stipp Motorsport, embarked on a fairy-tale finish. On Sunday, he delivered a career-best seventh-place finish overall and a dominant Challenger Trophy victory, leaving Cappelli in 21st. With double points on the line, the tide turned dramatically. Cappelli’s early elimination in a lap-one incident sealed Kajaia’s fate: a tie in points, but his seventh-place finish as the tiebreaker secured the Challenger Trophy.
The Controversy: Skill or Luck?
Here’s the bold question: Was Kajaia’s victory a testament to his skill, or did luck play a bigger role than we’re willing to admit? While his consistency and adaptability were undeniable, Cappelli’s misfortune at Zolder was the final piece of the puzzle. Does this diminish Kajaia’s achievement? Absolutely not. But it does spark a debate worth discussing. What do you think? Was Kajaia’s win a masterpiece of skill, or did fate simply smile upon him at the right moment?
Kajaia’s rookie season was a whirlwind of highs and lows, but his Challenger Trophy win solidifies his place as a rising star in NASCAR. Honored at the NASCAR Banquet in Charlotte on November 21st, he’s already looking ahead to his next chapter in Europe’s official NASCAR championship. One thing’s for sure: Davit Kajaia is a name we’ll be hearing for years to come. Will he continue to defy expectations, or will the competition catch up? Only time will tell.
