NASCAR presented with opportunity of taking the Clash away from the United States despite Bowman Gray speculations

2026 could witness NASCAR making a trip to Brazil for the first time to run a Cup Series race. The State Government and the city officials of Sao Paulo are jointly working towards making this international leap possible for NASCAR.

The proposal suggests the running of the season-opening race, The Clash, in Brazil. This could potentially kill the chances of the race being held at the Bowman Gray Stadium, as reported by several industry sources. With that said, indeed, running a NASCAR race in Brazil is a big deal for motorsport enthusiasts in Brazil as well as the entire continent of South America.

Tom Dannemiller, the representative of NASCAR in Brazil, met with the São Paulo state Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, and the Mayor of the city of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes, on Thursday to discuss how the task could be pulled off. The meeting was attended by state and municipal secretaries as well.

"We are always looking for the best attractions for São Paulo that can bring in tourists, as well as attract investment and generate jobs," said Governor Freitas, as reported by motorsport.com. "We have a racetrack that is a reference for the sport and we have everything we need to put on a great event."

NASCAR Brasilia Series is just days from hosting its fifth stage in the current NASCAR Brasil Series calendar. Cup Series regular Daniel Suarez will compete in the event at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as the Interlagos. The Trackhouse Racing driver has recently tied the knot with his longtime partner Julia Piquet.

"When I found out that they were gonna be having a NASCAR Brasil race in Interlagos on a race track that is so historic," Suarez exclaimed (via Newsweek). "I started having some conversations with NASCAR and NASCAR Brasil, and I got the opportunity, so super excited. Very fortunate to have this opportunity."

NASCAR is yet to release its 2025 schedule. Therefore, the official date of the inaugural non-point race is unknown as of now. The schedule was supposed to be out by the latter part of May but has been delayed due to what veteran FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass referred to as the "international component".

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was left disappointed with changes in NASCAR's 2025 schedule

NASCAR is expected to make some significant changes to its 2025 schedule, including the removal of Atlanta Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen from the playoffs. Instead, Darlington, Loudon, and Gateway are in the post-seasonal rumble. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is upset because Homestead-Miami Speedway has also been chucked off from the playoff roster.

"I’m disappointed about Homestead leaving the playoffs," Earnhardt said in an episode of his podcast. "We ran Homestead years ago early in the season and it was weird. After having the season finale there for so, so long, it just doesn’t feel right to put it anywhere else in the season."

The iconic track in South Florida has hosted the championship race from 2002 to 2019. Furthermore, it has hosted 18 playoff races in the past two decades.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from full-time racing in the Cup Series in 2017. Interestingly, his last Cup race was at Homestead-Miami Speedway as well.