NASCAR continues to prove it is not content staying within American borders. Fresh off its successful Mexico City venture, the sport is eyeing even bigger possibilities. Meanwhile, IndyCar has been quietly building momentum with its own growth plans.
Now, both series might have found an unexpected opportunity to make history together in Europe.
Could NASCAR and IndyCar Really Race at Zandvoort?
The conversation started at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands, right after F1’s latest race weekend. Oscar Piastri again dominated, securing his seventh victory of the 2025 season and continuing McLaren’s impressive campaign. However, behind the celebration lurked concerns about Zandvoort’s future.
The iconic Dutch circuit faces uncertainty after 2026, with just one year left on its F1 contract. That’s when Robert van Overdijk, Zandvoort’s circuit director, revealed his ambitious backup plan. Speaking to BNR, van Overdijk posed an intriguing question: “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could bring NASCAR or IndyCar here from America?”
This wouldn’t be NASCAR’s first international adventure. The sport has ventured abroad for exhibition races and has competed in Europe through various partnerships over the years. However, neither the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, nor Truck Series has hosted an official points race on European soil. IndyCar faces similar territory, having not raced internationally in its modern format.
NASCAR’s Mexico City race earlier in 2025 demonstrated the sport’s willingness to expand internationally. That event proved American stock car racing could capture audiences beyond traditional markets, despite the logistical complexities involved.
What Makes This European Expansion Different?
Van Overdijk’s comments suggest more than casual interest from both series. “Are they interested? Let’s just say there is interest,” he revealed, hinting at ongoing discussions behind the scenes.
The circuit director confirmed that officials from both NASCAR and IndyCar have already visited Zandvoort and conducted what appear to be preliminary assessments of the facility. This indicates that the conversations have moved beyond theoretical discussions into practical evaluation stages.
Still, van Overdijk acknowledges the massive undertaking such an event would represent. “I think we should try. We want to make the impossible possible. That suits us too,” he explained, recognizing both the challenge and opportunity ahead.
The logistics alone would dwarf those faced during NASCAR’s Mexico City event. Transporting entire racing operations across the Atlantic Ocean, coordinating international broadcasting, and navigating different regulatory environments would require unprecedented planning and execution.
How Would Zandvoort Benefit From American Racing?
Van Overdijk isn’t panicking about F1’s potential departure. “The circuit is full 290 days a year. My mission to turn it into a business events venue has been accomplished,” he noted, emphasizing Zandvoort’s diverse revenue streams.
However, losing F1 would create a significant gap during peak season. Van Overdijk sees opportunity in that challenge, explaining that F1’s absence would free up approximately six weeks during the most desirable racing months for new ventures.
For NASCAR and IndyCar, Zandvoort offers something unique. The circuit combines technical challenges with passionate European motorsports fans hungry for new experiences. The track’s elevation changes, high-speed corners, and intimate atmosphere could provide the perfect showcase for American racing’s distinct characteristics.
Both series have been actively seeking international growth opportunities. NASCAR’s Mexico City success proved American stock car racing translates across cultures, while IndyCar’s reputation for wheel-to-wheel competition could find eager audiences in Europe’s racing-mad markets.
Neither NASCAR nor IndyCar officials have made public statements confirming these discussions or announcing any concrete plans. However, van Overdijk’s revelations suggest preliminary conversations are more advanced than many might expect.
The road to European racing wouldn’t be simple for either series. NASCAR’s Mexico City experience highlighted the complexities of international events, from equipment transportation to local partnerships. A European venture would magnify these challenges exponentially.
Yet both NASCAR and IndyCar have demonstrated their commitment to growth beyond traditional boundaries. If van Overdijk’s optimism proves justified, fans might witness something truly unprecedented: American oval and road course racing sharing European soil for the first time in the modern era.