NASCAR Brazil Series 2026 pre-season weekend at Circuito Panamericano Pirelli served as a laboratory for drivers to adapt to the new RiSE26. Among the highlights, Vitor Genz (Ford #46, Full Time) and Murilo Rocha (Ford #55, Full Time), a driver of only 16 years old, emphasized the importance of learning on the track.
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“We started off on the right foot with the new car,” said Genz. “It was my first event with the team and we got along very well. The car is very interesting, reminds me of last year’s, but the balance has changed. It tends to be a little more risky in the rear, and the driver has to control more on the steering wheel.”
Murilo Rocha, a newcomer to touring, stated: “This test was very important for us to get to know the car, gain mileage and get used to everything. It was the opportunity to drive with different tires and check seat position adjustments. Fundamental for Santa Cruz.”
Other drivers reported their impressions and learnings. Dudes Castroneves (#34, Pole Motorsport) commented: “In these two days, the main focus was getting to know the team and all its members. It’s very good to understand how everyone works, arrive early and see how the car will be, the seat and various new and old details. The car is much lighter than last year’s. For me, the question is getting used to the vehicle. Coming from karting, I don’t yet have the feeling that other drivers have, especially the young ones who have already driven cars. The goal was to gain track time and try to be fast. This new car gave a greater opportunity, as I’m not the only one who needs to learn. This gives me a margin to get closer to the others. For me, the focus was fun, learning and accelerating.”
Ricardo Maurício (#7, Pole Motorsport) said: “I’m coming in with the new car and making my debut in the 2026 season. I’m happy. I hope it’s a year of great success, not just for me, but for my team. I really liked the car. It comes firm and feels like a kart in drivability. I’m pleased with my first contact here at Circuito Panamericano and soon we’ll be in Santa Cruz do Sul to start the season. The more races we have, the better the event becomes. We like to train and test the car, but we really like the new challenges and always being in competition with someone. The Duel brought emotion and allowed us to feel a taste of what NASCAR Brazil will be like this year.”
For Tito Giaffone (#15, Full Time), the experience was one of learning: “It was very cool. It was the first time I came to test new cars. It was very interesting to follow this whole process. Like any new car, some adjustments come up that we have to make. I’m learning a lot here. For the experience as a driver it’s been very good. I’m sure that for Santa Cruz everything will be perfect.”
Alfredinho Ibiapina (#8, Full Time Sports) highlighted the adaptation: “It’s a process of changing cars. We know it’s not easy when there’s a change of chassis and engine; it’s all new. At first it’s much more likely that adjustments will be needed. We hope it will be a very special season for everyone.”
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Arthur Gama (#9, Cavaleiro Sports) commented: “I’m very happy to return to a category for which I have a lot of affection, where I started my journey in 2022 and was champion in 2023. I was the first winner of NASCAR Brazil and I’m also happy to be able to inaugurate these new cars.”
Denis Navarro (#5, Cavaleiro Sports) said: “The Duel was important because the car brings many new features compared to last year. There’s a lot of learning for the teams. Cavaleiro is also in its first year in the category, as am I. So it’s track time and learning. The idea was to gather as much information as possible so we’d be more prepared for the first stage. And it was cool to take advantage of being here to do this ‘tiebreaker’ and see who adapted faster and performed better.”
Alex Seid (#7, team) added: “The car is already stronger than last year’s and continues to be very fun to drive. We drove as much as possible to get the ‘feel’ of this new car. The goal was to make the most of track time. I enjoyed starting another season.”
For the teams, learning was also the highlight. Maurício Ferreira, team manager of Full Time Sports, stated: “It was very cool because we had two drivers who were already on the team last year, Alfredinho Ibiapina and Tito Giaffone, plus newcomers Vitor Genz, with all his experience and already a champion in the category, and Murilo Rocha, only 16 years old. Having them with us helped a lot; we were exchanging information and evolving with each outing on the track.”
Joselmo Barcik, team manager of Pole Motorsport, added: “This test and the training were a learning experience for both drivers and the team. It’s a new car, always a new project that brings new features and items that we weren’t yet prepared for. With the team entering the category now and getting to know the cars in a more direct way on the track, it was fundamental for us. It was very productive and rich for us to prepare for the first stage.”
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