Fans Lift Curtains on NASCAR’s Quiet Moves to Race on Max Verstappen’s Dutch Fortress

The Clash’s contract is ending this year with the LA track. And NASCAR is investing quite a lot in new venue acquisitions such as the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium. So, it is fair that discussions have been running over the potential replacement of certain races. Nevertheless, with the NASCAR season in full swing and the sport reaching newer global heights every week, F1 phenom Max Verstappen’s “oranje” fortress, Circuit Zandvoort, has made its way into conversations for a NASCAR race in the potential future.

Dutch racing fans on the NASCAR subreddit ignited the rumor mill. A recently raised discussion revealed that a “local talk show” presented by one of the Netherlands’ premier TV broadcast service providers Ziggo Sport, recently revealed that stock-car racing’s premier sanctioning body has been in discussions with Zandvoort management. Reddit user u/DutchBru1n also wrote that presenters “indicated the next step would be for officials to meet in person in the US.”

Dutch fans excited about potential NASCAR race at Circuit Zandvoort

The original post was concluded with the question: “Would you be open to having a race at Zandvoort and do you see it working?”. And well, the replies seem to agree. 

Bringing into perspective the 2024 season’s road course at COTA in Austin on Sunday, fans made their sentiments clear: “Zandvoort would be amazing! That’s a really unique and fun road course!” The current 2.646-mile circuit first broke ground 75 years ago. In recent times it has gained acclaim for Verstappen’s trifecta of victories since 2021. The course has also gained notoriety with its extensive representation in iRacing as one fan described, “It’s one of my favorite road courses on iRacing… About 12 years ago I reached the 100% content club on iRacing and Zandvoort was one of the last pieces of content for me to get.”

Many agreed that the original Zandvoort would be a “great choice,” likening the layout to US road courses, the likes of Watkins Glen, and claiming that it has the banking angles that give it “that Nascar flair.” On the other hand, one fan on Reddit made a candid disclosure, replying, “Few things would make me happier than seeing cup cars on a European circuit. I’m not familiar with Zandvoort but after a quick look on Google Earth, it looks like a pretty fun and unique layout. let’s do it.”

Dutch TV: NASCAR and Zandvoort have been informally exploring a possible overseas event
byu/DutchBru1n inNASCAR

Moreover, NASCAR fans on the other side of the pond seemed to be ecstatic as well, with one Dutch commenter confidently stating, “Would save me a lot of time if I could go to a race 2 hours down the road instead of having to take a transatlantic flight, so I’m all for it.” But one fan made an interesting observation putting up another argument for a different type of venue for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, “Maybe for the Euronascar since they already race at Venray?”

A Return, not a Debut

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The “Euronascar” Series, or as it was known in its initiation year, the “Racecar Euro Series” was birthed by iconic French rally driver Jérôme Galpin in 2008. The next year with the backing of his family group, Team FJ, Galpin managed to stage 7 stock-car races across France. Following the events, the FIA stepped in 2010. Nevertheless, NASCAR was already in discussions for a potential European venture alongside Team FJ, and 2012 saw them collaborate for the first edition of the Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that the series did move to Zandvoort for a single race in the 2011 season which saw 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans champion, Éric Hélary win the Pro Championships. Therefore, it is fair to say the Verstappen’s Dutch fortress won’t be making a debut, but instead a return. 

Fans had many other suggestions with this comment standing out for its bold and controversial nature, as it stated, “Fix the Motegi oval, you cowards!” Some even suggested Max Verstappen himself make an appearance, bluntly commenting, “Only if Verstappen runs for Stewart Haas”. However, the real question that has emerged as of late: Will NASCAR’s top-tier superstars grace the 105,000-capacity road track this time?

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