For decades, the famed French track Le Mans has stood as the pinnacle of endurance racing, a proving ground where speed meets vigour and strategy. Next year, however, history will take a new page as the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) NASCAR Classic heads to the French Republic. The Classic fiesta will bring legendary vintage stock cars to the Circuit de la Sarthe for the first time since its first running of the Walter Mitty Challenge in 1977 at Road Atlanta.
HSR NASCAR Classic Goes Global; 2026 Schedule Unveiled
Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) has unveiled its 2026 schedule, highlighted by a groundbreaking first international appearance at the inaugural Le Mans Classic Legend. The newly released calendar also reinforces the promotion’s dedication to America’s premier road courses, with multiple dates confirmed at iconic Daytona International Speedway, America’s Formula One destination Sebring International Raceway, and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
However, the year’s highlight will be a new transatlantic partnership between HSR and Peter Auto, the historic racing division of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). As part of the collaboration, the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear will make its European debut at the Le Mans Classic Legend, running July 2–5 on the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe.
In exchange, Peter Auto will roll out its celebrated grid of early-1960s GT machines, retro beauties from the renowned “F-period,” to the U.S. for the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods, slated for November 11–15. This cross-continental exchange strengthens ties between the U.S. and Europe’s vintage racing scenes, thus creating an unprecedented showcase for fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
The eight-race 2026 calendar will commence on January 21–25 with the second edition of the HSR IMSA Classic, staged alongside the Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend. In addition, the fixture will also feature genuine sports cars from 1990 to 2010 that previously competed in the Rolex 24 marathon. All in all, the event will showcase a curated 20-car grid chosen by a dedicated selection committee.
HSR has been owned by NASCAR Holdings since 2022, owing to its close ties with its subsidiary, IMSA (International Motor Sports Association). Reflecting on the new schedule, the promotion’s President, John Doonan, stated,
“The 2026 HSR calendar of events once again features maximum track time on the most legendary road racing circuits in North America and now HSR’s first competition visit overseas.”
“Seeing examples of the same era of classic sports cars that raced in the first major endurance races at Daytona more than 60 years ago is truly a can’t-miss experience for competitors and race fans alike,” he continued.
Following the January set opening event at Daytona, the series proceeds to Sebring for the HSR Sebring Pistons & Props (Feb. 12–15), followed by the 48th Mitty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (Apr. 23–26), the Watkins Glen Classic 6 Hour (June 11–14), the Road Atlanta Classic 10 Hour (Sept. 17–20), the Daytona Classic 24 Hour (Nov. 11–15), and the Sebring Classic 12 Hour (Dec. 2–6).