Team FJ, the founder and organizer of the official European NASCAR Series, and NASCAR announced the start of a new era of stock car racing. Starting in 2025 the European NASCAR championship will be named NASCAR Euro Series and will feature a new logo and visual identity to expand the NASCAR brand.
The competition platform will improve with the third generation of the EuroNASCAR race car (GEN3) that will be introduced in all races starting in 2025, with further development expected over the next few years. Changes will also be made to the racing format and a new driver development program with management support and scholarships will allow the NASCAR Euro Series drivers to reach the top level of NASCAR racing in the U.S.
"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," said Jerome Galpin President CEO TEAM FJ – NASCAR Europe in a press release provided to Newsweek.
"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."
The change will align the NASCAR Euro Series with NASCAR's national series. The two NASCAR Euro Series Championships will be rechristened PRO and OPEN. A new entry level based on regularity competition will have a new format and become the Rookie Challenge for young drivers without racing experience. The PRO championship will be geared towards professional drivers and elite amateurs, and the OPEN championship will focus on young talents and gentleman drivers. PRO and Open will share the same car, alternating behind the wheel in four races per weekend, two in the PRO and two in the OPEN division.
With the goal of offering European drivers the chance to compete in NASCAR in the United States, NASCAR Europe will develop a ladder system to recruit drivers from different regions to NASCAR racing. The Recruitment Tests is the first step for drivers from different motorsports to participate in NASCAR Europe. Afterwards, drivers can move to the Rookie Challenge or NASCAR racing in the OPEN and PRO championship.
Approved NASCAR Euro Series drivers have the chance to enter NASCAR road course races in the U.S. at the top level in the NASCAR National Series. To prepare for the move, Team FJ will set up the new Road To America program through a Europe-based NASCAR training and testing team that organizes tests on European tracks. Team FJ will also manage and support drivers to find the best possible opportunities to race in the U.S.
"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," said Chad Seigler, NASCAR's Vice President & Chief International Officer.
The NASCAR Euro Series season will have seven events in seven different countries starting on April 12-13 in Valencia, Spain and closing on October 11-12 with the Finals at Circuit Zolder in Belgium.
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