Jorge Martelli arrives in Curvelo with a clear mission: to make the most of the final round of the regular season in order to reach the NASCAR Brasil Series playoffs in good shape. 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.
The Mineiro round will be held at one of the most distinctive circuits on the calendar. At 1,250 meters in length and featuring a 16% incline on a curved section, the Curvelo oval demands attention on every lap. The short track and the characteristics of the layout require precision, speed, and strategy to play a significant role in the contest.
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Martelli sees the round as an opportunity to put into practice what he learned during the first six rounds. For him, the championship’s balance showed that decisions made in a few seconds can have a large 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 taken in a few seconds made a difference. We learned a lot throughout the season and now it’s about putting all of that into practice in the Playoffs. The experience of the regular season needs to serve to come into this decisive phase even stronger,” the driver emphasizes.
Curvelo arrives on the calendar with 75 points at stake, which could shake up the standings before the playoffs are decided. The final phase will be contested in two rounds, with three races in each, in Chapecó and Brasília.
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“No doubt. Curvelo opens a very important phase of the championship and starting strong can make a big difference. In a balanced contest, any detail can change the scenario. Therefore, the idea is to arrive prepared, seek a solid performance from the practice sessions, and try to leave with as many points as possible,” Martelli states.
The driver also avoids focusing on a single name when talking about the rivals. The balance shown throughout the year has led to different drivers and teams appearing in position to fight for victories.
“NASCAR Brasil has many strong drivers and I find it hard to point to just one or two opponents. During the season we’ve seen several drivers and teams capable of winning. We need to focus mainly on our own work and do the best on the track,” says the driver from Tapurah (MT).
As the competition tightens, Martelli also highlights the importance of finding the right measure between attacking and preserving consistency. The idea is to chase results without turning the race into an unnecessary risk-free chase.
“I believe it’s essential to strike a balance. You can’t think only about attacking, and you can’t spend every race calculating. The goal is to be competitive, to chase good results, and to avoid errors,” adds Martelli.
Curvelo, which hosts NASCAR Brasil for the third consecutive year, will be the final engagement before the playoffs. The driver of car #87 now concentrates on preparing for the round and hopes to convert the experience accumulated in the regular season into important points for the decisive phase.
“The championship has been very competitive. Our objective is to stay competitive and fight for the title until the end,” he emphasizes.
Jake Thompson
I'm Jake Thompson, a motorsport journalist born and raised in North Carolina, where NASCAR weekends were basically family holidays. I’ve been covering everything from Formula 1 to rally raids for over a decade, blending sharp analysis with a fan’s heart. For me, writing about racing isn’t just a job — it’s the best seat in the house.
