Jorge Martelli arrives in Curvelo with a clear mission: to take advantage of the last stage of the regular season to reach the NASCAR Brasil Series playoffs in good condition. On September 19 and 20, the Circuito dos Cristais hosts the seventh round of the 2026 season, which will also determine the 12 drivers qualified for the decisive phase, with a 20-point bonus.
Read more F1: Ralf Schumacher talks about apparent irritation of Vasseur with Ferrari drivers in Madrid
The Minas Gerais stage will be held on one of the most unique circuits on the calendar. With 1,250 meters in length and a curve banked at 16%, the Curvelo oval demands attention every lap. The short track and the characteristics of the layout make precision, speed, and strategy play an important role in the competition.
Martelli sees the round as a chance to put into practice what he learned during the first six stages. For him, the championship’s balance showed that decisions made in a few seconds can have a great impact on the result.
“The main lesson was that NASCAR Brasil is decided in the details. We had very balanced races and situations where a good strategy or a decision made in a few seconds made a difference. We have learned a lot throughout the season and now it’s time to put all that into practice in the Playoffs. The experience from the regular season needs to serve so we arrive even stronger in this decisive phase,” highlights the driver.
Curvelo arrives on the calendar with 75 points at stake, which can shake up the standings before the playoffs are defined. The final phase will be contested in two stages, with three races in each, in Chapecó and Brasília.
“Without a doubt. Curvelo opens a very important phase of the championship and starting well can make a big difference. In a balanced competition, any detail can change the scenario. That’s why the idea is to arrive prepared, seek good performance from the practice sessions, and try to leave there with as many points as possible,” says Martelli.
The driver also avoids focusing attention on just one name when talking about opponents. The balance shown throughout the year made different drivers and teams appear in conditions to fight for victories.
Read more F1: Coulthard disagrees with Steiner’s criticism of Norris over Coca-Cola
“NASCAR Brasil has many strong drivers and I find it difficult to point out just one or two opponents. During the season we saw several drivers and teams in conditions to win. We have to mainly look at our own work and do our best on the track,” mentions the driver from Tapurah (MT).
With the competition getting tighter, Martelli also points out the importance of finding the right balance between attacking and preserving consistency. The idea is to seek results without turning the race into an unnecessary risk battle.
“I believe it is necessary to find a balance. You can’t just think about attacking and we also can’t be doing calculations from the first race. The goal is to be competitive, seek good results, and avoid mistakes,” Martelli concludes.
Curvelo, which hosts NASCAR Brasil for the third consecutive year, will be the last commitment before the playoffs. The #87 driver now focuses efforts on preparing for the stage and hopes to turn the experience accumulated in the regular season into important points for the decisive phase.
“The championship has been very competitive. Our goal is to remain competitive and fight for the title until the end,” he emphasizes.
Read more F1: Wolff reinforces Russell’s renewal at Mercedes: «We just haven’t issued an official statement»
