Nascar is in discussions to return to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, next season, according to Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
Confirmed:
- Stock car racing series previously raced at the circuit with its second-tier Xfinity Series between 2007 and 2012
- Negotiations are reportedly ongoing and not complete, deal could still fall through or be delayed beyond 2024
- Nascar Cup Series has never raced in Canada
Context: Nascar Xfinity was the last motorsport property outside of Formula One to race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, sharing its weekend programme with the Nascar Pinty’s race, the Canadian arm of the stock car racing series, and the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
The circuit has been a Formula One staple since 1978, which, outside of the Covid pandemic, only dropped off the calendar twice – in 1987, due to a sponsorship dispute, and 2009, which was rumoured to be for financial reasons.
Comment: Nascar chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell told SBJ in February that Nascar was looking at possible Cup Series races in both Mexico and Canada among other countries internationally, as it looks to grow its global presence.
Furthermore, the series’ president Steve Phelps said at the 2022 CAA World Congress of Sports that “our 2024 schedule will probably be the most aggressive we’ve ever had in terms of continued variation (with new markets and new tracks)”.
Coming next: Nascar is undertaking a path of international development, which includes its Garage 56 entry at this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The stock car racing series is also holding an international summit in London on 16th June to discuss its future plans.