MOST, Czech Republic – Lasse Soerensen fended off Giorgio Maggi to win Sunday’s NASCAR Whelen Euro Series ELITE 2 event at Autodrom Most.

The two battled for the lead for 14 laps, with Soerensen emerging as the victor.

Soerensen started from second and took over the lead in the first corner of the race. The Dexwet-df1 Racing driver survived pressure from Maggi during the entire race, but kept him at bay to take his fourth win of the season.

In his first six NASCAR Whelen Euro Series starts, the Soerensen always finished in the top-three. With Sunday’s win, Soerensen climbed up to third in the overall standings and reduced his gap from Maggi to 33 points.

“It was a really tough race, but I had a good start and I was able to overtake Giorgio on the outside of turn one,” said Soerensen. “It seemed that I was faster in the first one and a half sectors and he was better on the rest of the track. We had an almost identical pace. I think I had him under control, I’m happy for the whole team and my sponsors back home.”

Maggi, who started from the pole, spent the entire race on Soerensen’s rear bumper. After winning the inaugural ELITE 2 race at the Autodrom Most Saturday, Maggi ended up second Sunday to increase his championship lead to 16 points on Vittorio Ghirelli, who got a one championship point penalty for not giving back a position after a turn one shortcut.

“It’s great to expand the championship lead,” said Maggi. “The start was okay, but Lasse was able to overtake me. I tried a few times to make a move in turn one. He blocked very well, so there was nothing I could do. I tried to force him into a mistake but he was very consistent. In the end I’m happy with the second place. I’m looking forward to Venray as I have some experience there. It’s something new for me and I’m very excited.”

PK Carsport driver Ghirelli ended up third under the checkered flag.  Nicholas Risitano finished fourth and American Myatt Snider gained six positions on track to complete the top-five.

Ian Eric Waden won the battle in the Legend Trophy class by finishing 12th ahead of Michael Bleekemolen and Mirco Schultis, who closed the top-three in the classification for drivers 40 and over. Arianna Casoli won the Lady Trophy by securing a 17th-place finish.