NASCAR is leaving no stone unturned. With multi-billion dollar media rights deals, Next-Gen cars that can compete on road courses, and a Cup Series race taking place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the sport is doing all it can to fulfill its international ambitions. While other motorsports disciplines such as IndyCar and Formula 1 have already expanded globally, the stock car racing series continues to trail behind and remains largely restricted to the United States.
The influx of road course races in the NASCAR calendar may have something to do with Shane van Gisbergen. The Kiwi has reignited interest in the format since he arrived in 2023, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes the sanctioning body now has a clear path to enter the global market, despite his reluctance.
Dale Jr. shares a bold prediction amidst NASCAR’s ambitious plan
Shane van Gisbergen’s influence cannot be understated. The three-time Supercars Champion put NASCAR on the global map, especially after his Cup Series debut win at the Chicago Street race. Since then, the Kiwi has been competing as a full-time racer in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, securing three wins in 2024 at Portland, Sonoma, and Chicago. His triumph in the format has led to an influx of road course races on the calendar, which may be key to NASCAR’s plans to expand globally in the future.
Sharing his thoughts about NASCAR’s strategy to expand beyond the United States, the veteran racer candidly said on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, “I think for NASCAR to achieve this idea of becoming more international, it’s got to happen on the road courses. I just don’t see any other route. That means there will be more road courses likely added and maybe it’s not as many as I think, maybe it’s just a couple.”
Ultimately, the market dictates where the races are held. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t the biggest fan of the format and the veteran racer went on to say, “Listen, I’ve said it before, road courses are not, I don’t love road courses as much as I love short tracks or a mile-and-a-half or Daytona or Talladega.” However, if fans want the majority of the calendar to comprise road course racing, it’s what NASCAR will ultimately go with according to the JR Motorsports co-owner.
It’s no surprise that Jr. isn’t a fan of road courses, his stats say it all. Out of his 26 wins in the Cup Series, he has not recorded a single win on road courses and averages a finish of 20.3! His best finish on a road course was a third-place finish at Sonoma in 2014. Before that, Dale Jr.’s only other top-5 finishes on road courses came way back in 2003 and 2004, both at Watkins Glen. Despite his personal dislike for such courses, he sees global expansion as an inevitability of the sport, and road courses are destined to be a major part of it.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Ford EcoBoost 400-Practice, Nov 17, 2017 Homestead, FL, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. 88 speaks during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz before practice for the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homstead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, 17.11.2017 10:16:11, 10418624, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ford EcoBoost 400, Ford EcoBoost 400-Practice, NASCAR PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJasenxVinlovex 10418624
If NASCAR does end up expanding globally, it’s more than likely that the races will be held on road courses. That’s because oval tracks are notoriously hard to come by, especially in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Additionally, world-class infrastructure already exists because of Formula 1, which the stock car racing series can take advantage of. This means that while venues such as Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway will always remain key to the racing series’ heritage, the future may lie elsewhere for the sport.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is indifferent about stock car racing going global
Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t exactly jumping for joy. While talks about expanding globally have been ongoing for years now, it’s not a prospect that the 50-year-old is particularly excited by. Meanwhile, others such as Ryan Blaney have been outspoken advocates about ‘The Clash’ being held globally, as the pre-season exhibition event seems like the perfect venue to test international waters without risking the Cup Series season. “Go to different parts of the country, maybe even outside of the USA, to give a different part of the, an area and a fanbase something to watch,” said the Penske driver.
However, the NASCAR Hall of Famer couldn’t care less and said, “I don’t care if my Cup racing goes overseas. I’m not for it or against it. It doesn’t excite me, you know, but I’ll watch it. But I’m not going to be sad if it doesn’t happen. Does that make sense?” However, Dale Jr. confirmed that the sanctioning body does have plans to race in front of newer audiences, going on to say, “NASCAR would love to race in Europe or, you see Brazil in the conversation on social media. And that is something we are absolutely going to see in the future.”
Despite Dale Earnhardt Jr’s ‘indifference’, the veteran racer would like to see NASCAR explore a particular venue overseas. The North Carolina native said, “If they take the Clash overseas, I think that one track that they absolutely should look at is Brands Hatch.” Based in the United Kingdom, the IndyCar venue could be an interesting choice that the sanctioning body can explore in the future. The short-track road course could be the perfect way for the stock car racing series to kick off its global expansion plans. However, it remains to be seen if NASCAR follows his advice and considers the former British Grand Prix track as a viable option. What are your thoughts on NASCAR’s global expansion? Are there any courses you would like to see Cup Series drivers race at?
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