Matthew Ellis says he has “suddenly proved” he can drive a Nascar after starring in the 12th American SpeedFest at Brands Hatch.

The 31-year-old from Yalding now hopes his “breakthrough” weekend will lead to more opportunities in Nascar Euro Series.

The electrician had competed at the event twice before - in 2022 and 2023 - but a last-minute deal with Scottish team Lux Motorsport led to his first top-five finish in the Open class.

“It was a game-changing weekend,” said Ellis, whose previous best result at the meeting was 20th.

“There's nothing worse than when you feel like you're not giving a good representation of yourself.

“But this was 100% my best weekend in the series - I think I suddenly proved I can actually drive one - and I’ll definitely try and take momentum from it and do some more.”

Ellis starred in a rain-hit first race on Saturday afternoon, climbing from fourth to first within half a lap after a cloudburst left rivers running across the circuit.

But his race unravelled with five laps remaining when he ran through the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend, dropping to third, and then spun onto the grass at McLaren after “red mist” descended.

He eventually finished eighth overall and fourth in the Master Trophy - a class for drivers given a Grade C rating by series organisers.

“I was quite comfortable at the front until I started pushing, trying to go faster and faster,” Ellis said.

“I didn’t just want to let people catch me, and missed my braking zone by probably 10 yards into Paddock.

“I should have won - I had pretty much led the whole thing - but I can’t be too sad about it given the conditions.”

In dry weather for race two on Sunday, Ellis’ engine blew with a lap to go while he was running third.

With oil covering the circuit on the approach to Paddock Hill Bend, officials brought the race to an early halt as five cars fell into the gravel trap.

Ellis was still classified as a finisher in his chrome-pink Chevrolet Camaro, but dropped to fifth after receiving a 10-second penalty for a false start.

“In my eyes, I still finished third,” said Ellis, who still won the Master division despite the reprimand.

“The penalty was a bit frustrating, but I was so thankful for the team and all the data they gave me.

“I’m thankful to everyone who made it happen…”

“I was on the radio to them for a lap saying ‘this car is really not happy, I think it is about to let go’.

“And they said ‘well, you’ve got one lap to go, you have to go’. But then it absolutely detonated and everybody went off.”

Ellis also enjoyed success in the support races, sharing a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus with his father Martyn.

He chased home Samuel West’s Aston Martin Vantage in Sunday’s 25-minute race, climbing from seventh on the grid.

“One more lap and I would have done it,” Ellis said.

“But I had fun, I enjoyed it, and the weekend was a breakthrough one for me in Nascar.

“I’m thankful to everyone who made it happen - to all my sponsors and family.”

Ellis’ team-mate Jack Davidson, who became the first British driver to win in Nascar Euro Series at Brands Hatch last year, finished third and sixth in the Pro division contests.

Former champion Gianmarco Ercoli won both races, while Melvin de Groot and Martin Doubek claimed the Open class spoils.

Brands Hatch hosts Super Touring Power 3 on June 28-29, with adult tickets for Sunday costing £26 in advance or £30 on the gate. Children under 13 go free. Click here for more details.