New reports after the conclusion of the 2025 Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium suggest that NASCAR is once again actively considering moving its season-opening exhibition race to Brazil in 2026, reflecting the organization’s strategy to expand its global footprint.
This initiative follows the announcement that the NASCAR Cup Series will hold its first international points race in the modern era in Mexico City on June 15, 2025, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
The last time the Cup series raced abroad was a one-off event in Japan in 1998, called the Coca-Cola 500 at the Motegi Ring circuit. It was a non-points paying exhibition race.
The 2025 season kicked off with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, marking the first time since 1971 that NASCAR’s premier series competed at this historic venue. This move was part of NASCAR’s recent efforts to explore unique and diverse locations for its events.
In recent years, the Clash has been held at various notable venues. In 2022 and 2023, the event took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where NASCAR transformed the iconic stadium into a temporary short-track oval. Prior to that, the Clash was traditionally held at Daytona International Speedway, offering a preview of the season’s competition on one of NASCAR’s most storied tracks.
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Talks surrounding the potential 2026 move to Brazil gained traction last August when São Paulo officials, including the city’s Governor and Mayor expressed strong interest in hosting the event. NASCAR’s representative in Brazil held meetings with the city’s leadership to discuss the opportunity.
After the meetings, the Governor said “We have a racetrack that’s a reference for the sport and we’ve got everything we need to put on a great event.”
NASCAR’s existing footprint in Brazil through the NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race has demonstrated the sport’s growing popularity in the country. Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez even participated in a Brazilian road course event in 2024, securing a win and showcasing NASCAR’s commitment to fostering deeper ties with the nation’s motorsport community.
.@NASCAR is using its season-opening Clash exhibition this year to go back to a classic venue that the Cup Series hasn't run at since 1971 in Bowman Gray Stadium, but next year the event could be held overseas, possibly Brazil, as the racing property also looks to grow globally. pic.twitter.com/1wwe3TVQTq
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 2, 2025
And now, as the 2025 Clash at Bowman Gray stadium concluded, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal fueled speculation of a Brazilian event in 2026 with the above post on X.
While no official announcement has been made regarding the 2026 Clash, the idea of an international exhibition event signals NASCAR’s continued ambition to connect with global fans and broaden its appeal beyond traditional US markets.
Even some of the Cup ddrivers have shown enthusiasm for the idea of international expansion. Ryan Blaney, after this year’s Clash, said, “I think it’d be really neat to take NASCAR somewhere else, showcase it in front of a different crowd. It’s good for the sport to have eyes on it from all over the world.” Similarly, Chase Elliott remarked that NASCAR could use the Clash as a way to “introduce the sport in a positive way” to new audiences globally.
If the move is confirmed, it would be a historic first for NASCAR’s Cup Series in South America and a landmark moment for international motorsport.