NASCAR Reveals ‘New Era’ With Substantial Europe Expansions

NASCAR has unveiled its ambitious plans for a new era in European motorsports, set to commence in 2025. In collaboration with TEAM FJ, NASCAR announced the expansion and significant rebranding of its European series, which will be known as the NASCAR Euro Series.

This initiative is designed to bolster NASCAR’s footprint in Europe and establish the Euro Series as a leading touring car event across the continent. The transformation includes a fresh logo, the introduction of the third-generation EuroNASCAR race car (GEN3), and revamped racing formats, all aimed at heightening the competition and entertainment value for fans.

Founded by Jerome and Anne Galpin in 2009, the Euro Series began as a nascent racing venture, quickly gaining traction as it attracted attention from NASCAR’s Senior Development Business Director, Robert Duvall. Officially sanctioned by NASCAR in 2012, the series has become a staple in European motor sporting circles, celebrated for its NASCAR sprint races and vibrant American-themed festivals.

Jerome Galpin, President and CEO of TEAM FJ, reflected on this new step as he noted:

“This new era for NASCAR in Europe is the result of the strategic plan we developed with NASCAR over the last 2 years, fully dedicated to bringing NASCAR to the summit of racing in Europe.

“We definitely want to deliver more to our fans, our drivers, our teams, our partners and bring new ones in to discover the unique competition and atmosphere of NASCAR racing at some of the best European circuits. After 2009 when we founded the Series and 2012 when we became the official NASCAR Series in Europe, this is another major step in our successful history where only the sky’s the limit.”

NASCAR’s Vice President and Chief International Officer, Chad Seigler, revealed his excitement surrounding the venture, stating:

“As we continue to expand internationally, we’re excited to strengthen our presence in Europe. The launch of this new era means new opportunities and excitement for participants and partners who will join us starting in 2025.”

Integral to this new chapter is the aim of developing a driver pipeline that connects European talents with NASCAR’s top echelons in the United States. This pathway includes the “Road to America” initiative, offering development support, management guidance, and scholarships to promising European drivers. These efforts aim to cultivate a new generation of drivers capable of competing on the world stage. Moreover, the future seasons will see a sharing of cars between PRO and OPEN categories.

The 2025 season is set to feature seven events, starting with the inaugural race in Valencia, Spain in April, and concluding in Belgium at the Circuit Zolder in October.

This expansion calls for significant changes, such as aligning the Euro Series structure more closely with NASCAR’s national series model. Both PRO, targeting elite and professional drivers, and OPEN, aimed at young talents, will share identical cars in four-race weekend events. The series will also embrace sustainable fueling using VP Racing fuels in a bid to support NASCAR’s commitment to being fossil-fuel free by 2025.