NASCAR Rumors: Brazil eyes 2026 Cup Series race as São Paulo pitches to host the event

With talks of NASCAR going international in 2025, recent developments indicate that Brazil has expressed interest in hosting a NASCAR event during the 2026 season.

Tom Dannemiller, the representative of NASCAR in Brazil, met with Tarcísio de Freitas, the governor of São Paulo state, and Ricardo Nunes, the mayor of São Paulo, on Thursday. Reports suggest that the 2026 pre-season clash is what the São Paulo officials have shown interest in hosting.

Governor Freitas shared his thoughts on approaching the idea of a Cup Series race in Brazil. He said (via Motorsport.com):

“We are always looking for the best attractions for São Paulo that can bring in tourists, as well as attract investment and generate jobs. We have a racetrack that is a reference for the sport and we have everything we need to put on a great event.”

Traditionally held at Daytona International Speedway as a prelude to the Daytona 500, the Clash underwent a dramatic shift when NASCAR moved the event to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This marked the beginning of a new era for the pre-season exhibition race.

The last time a Cup Series race was held outside of the United States was in 1958, when NASCAR raced in Canada at the Circuit Trois-Rivières in Quebec. Additionally, the Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series) was also briefly held in Mexico City from 2005 to 2008.

If NASCAR schedules the clash in Brazil, it would mark the first time a Cup Series race takes place in South America. In addition to making history, this move would demonstrate NASCAR's intention to increase its worldwide presence.

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"More a matter of when" - NASCAR Chief International Officer Chad Seigler on the possibility of International events

NASCAR has long been considering adding international races to the Cup Series schedule for the 2025 season. While the schedule was initially planned for a May release, it's still under development.

Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) where Chief International Officer Chad Seigler shared his thoughts on the ongoing discussions regarding the possibility of racing outside the U.S.A.

"Still working on the 2025 schedule. I feel like we're getting closer every day to it.[...] I don't think it's an issue of, 'Are we going to eventually get the Cup Series outside of the US?' It's more a matter of when. When I talked about Daytona, we had seven different countries in Daytona this year, we just want to learn a little bit more so," Seigler stated.

This year, NASCAR brought back the crown jewel event at the historic Indianapolis Oval, delivering an exhilarating experience for fans and drivers alike. Adding an international race to the schedule would undoubtedly generate immense excitement and positive attention for the sport.