Sérgio Ramalho will debut in the NASCAR Brasil Series during the 2026 season playoffs. The driver from Pernambuco will be responsible for the Chevrolet Camaro #27 of Team RC and arrives in the category after securing significant titles in Brazilian motorsport, particularly in endurance events.
The driver has closely followed the team’s work throughout the year, through his collaboration with Gustavo Bandeira. Now he will have the opportunity to take the wheel and work with a squad with which he already shares familiarity.
“I’m excited for this debut! I’ve followed the car and the team throughout the year, through the work I do with Gustavo Bandeira. Now I’ll take the wheel and it will be a privilege to work with RC, a team I greatly admire. I have a good synergy with Marcel and I’m excited for us to deliver a solid performance,” says the driver.
At 37 years old, Ramalho has experience in different categories. He is a two-time Porsche Cup Brasil Endurance champion and claimed the Sprint Race title in 2022. In 2026, he also took part in the first endurance race of the Stock Car Pro Series, forming a pair with Cacá Bueno.
In NASCAR Brasil, one of the main challenges will be facing the ovals at Chapecó (SC) and Brasília (DF), which are part of the season’s final rounds. In the last round, he will share the car with Gustavo Bandeira, who hails from Brasília.
Ramalho still has limited experience on this type of circuit, but he is upbeat about the opportunity. His only prior participation was on Goiânia’s outer ring, where he enjoyed the experience.
“I’m very excited to race on these ovals. I’ve only run once on Goiânia’s outer ring and found it a lot of fun. It’s a weekend planned in a very different way, technically, from what we’re used to,” he says.
The move to the series is also linked to NASCAR Brasil’s growth in the country. For the Pernambuco-born driver, being part of the grid is an opportunity that draws drivers from various disciplines.
“The category is growing every year, and it is a dream for any Brazilian driver to be on the grid today,” he states.
The playoff debut marks a new chapter in the driver’s career, who now faces the challenge of adapting to the series and the ovals in the final stages of the championship.
