NASCAR News: International Points Races More Likely Than Ever as Insider Teased a Follow-Up to Japan and Australia

NASCAR is a motorsport mostly catering to American race fanatics. However, tendencies to spill over the borders have recently surged. NASCAR is not a stranger to hosting points races on foreign land. But on the other side of the globe? Now, that is something new, especially when we have an insider’s confirmation of the motorsport’s world tour.

NASCAR Vice President says they are ready to tread unfamiliar ground

Founded in 1948, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing has grown with limitless ambition. The first international race was held at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, in 1952 – only five years after the race project’s inception. From those baby steps, NASCAR has come a long way in carrying stock car racing to faraway shores. Now, it organizes and promotes official stock car races in over 10 countries across 11 series, including the Brasil Sprint Race in Brazil, the Canada Series, the Mexico Series, and the Whelen Euro Series.

NASCAR is stepping closer to holding points races outside the North American continent. NASCAR vice president and chief international officer Chad Siegler told Motorsport.com: “For years, we said we want to go outside the U.S. and race, and you’ve seen us move from the messaging of, ‘It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when.’” He also said, “I would tell you that we’re leaning even closer now to, ‘Yes, we are going.’ I feel confident we’re going to be there sooner than later.”

The Cup series has explored international territories but only for non-points events. These races were held in Japan between 1996 and 1998 and in Australia in 1988. Full points races have only been held in Canada and Mexico for second-tier Xfinity Series, but officials are confident they are ready to thrive elsewhere on the globe. NASCAR chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell told Front Office Sports: “We’re exploring a number of different options.”

Watch This Story: NASCAR Might Have Just Saved Themselves With the $7.7 Billion Media Rights Deal

NASCAR is molded for the cosmopolitan way of racing

Trending

Despite 2023 Disaster, Chase Elliott Risks Angering Rick Hendrick by Choosing Alex Bowman’s HMS Banned Tactic

Kurt Busch Finally Breaking Radio Silence After Criminal Charges Forced 3-Month-Long Hiatus Has NASCAR Fans Breathing Easy

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Sister Recalls the Sacrifice Forced on Them by Tony Stewarts’ Stranded Mentee Before Their Big Moment

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Was Caught Off-Guard by Ken Schrader’s Boozy ‘Bargaining’ Tactic

Kyle Larson’s Efforts Reap Results as America’s Oldest Sprint Car Racing Makes Its Return After a Year of Hiatus

With several national series already hosted in Montreal, Ontario, and Mexico City, NASCAR’s versatility in racing is on the rise. “I think what we’ve seen particularly in the last four to five years in the Cup series is that we don’t have to go race in a purpose-built race track,” Seigler said. “We can race in a stadium – which opens an entirely new potential avenue for racing outside the United States – we can race on a street course; we can race on dirt; and obviously an oval or a traditional road course.”

International fans are also excited to witness the magic of NASCAR. Seigler explained how the reception in Europe is a major motivating factor to expand globally. “When you go to a place in Europe, when you go to a place like Brands Hatch (for a NASCAR Euro race weekend) and you see that we had 43,000 people in the stands, that tells you that there’s a passion for our style of racing.”

We are all pumped to see the NASCAR way of racing bless the shores of other continents. Are you?

Read More: Why It Is Imperative That NASCAR Breaks Its Regionalized Shackles and Expands to International Racing