This past Sunday, NASCAR returned to its roots—and the results were nothing short of electric. The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium delivered exactly what fans wanted: hard-nosed, old-school short-track racing. With a crowd spanning 44 states, five countries, and three continents, it was clear that NASCAR’s reach extends far beyond U.S. borders.
Now, with international expansion on the table, NASCAR is eyeing a move to Brazil in 2026. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t sold on the idea.
Dale Jr.: NASCAR Should Focus on Its Core Identity
A 26-time Cup Series race winner and the face of traditional NASCAR, Dale Jr. has been instrumental in reviving historic tracks like North Wilkesboro Speedway. He understands the power of nostalgia and believes that NASCAR’s true strength lies in its deep American roots—not in chasing expansion at all costs.
Speaking on The Dale Jr. Download, he voiced his skepticism about NASCAR’s push to go global:
“To be able to go out and attract new fans – yes, you gotta travel. You gotta get outside of your comfort zone. But you don’t have to spend a ton of energy doing that. Be such an entertaining draw that they come to you.”
The Brazil Dilemma: Too Much Effort for Too Little Return?
NASCAR’s international ambitions have been clear for some time. Last July, employees were instructed to keep their passports current, and soon after, an official points-paying race in Mexico City was added to the 2025 schedule. Meanwhile, talks with officials in São Paulo have accelerated plans for a potential 2026 race in Brazil.
But Earnhardt Jr. questions whether the logistical effort is truly worth it.
“If you’re watching on TV, why do you care where it is?… In terms of NASCAR, you have a lane, stay in that lane. Be you, and fans will come to… that.”
For teams, the Brazil race would require 10 days of preparation, plus an additional week to recover and refocus before the Daytona 500. That’s a massive logistical headache—one Dale Jr. believes detracts from NASCAR’s core strength.
Reviving the Classics: The True Formula for Success?
Rather than looking abroad, Dale Jr. believes NASCAR’s magic lies in the historic venues that built the sport—tracks that hold a special place in fans’ hearts.
“Look at the excitement around Bowman Gray – there’s great energy around Wilkesboro, Rockingham Speedway’s kind of come back into the fold. Those racetracks are the racetracks we were running when the sport boomed out of control in the 2000s.”
He continued, reinforcing his belief that NASCAR’s golden era wasn’t fueled by international expansion:
“We didn’t explode around that time because we were in Brazil or going to the Coliseum – we had everything we needed right here… the tracks that actually helped you become this mammoth sport.”
Not Everyone Agrees: NASCAR Insiders Push for Global Growth
While Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick lean toward keeping NASCAR’s focus stateside, other industry voices see international growth as a crucial next step. With Formula 1’s rise in global popularity, some believe NASCAR needs to break into new markets to stay competitive.
But can NASCAR truly capture the same energy abroad, or should it double down on the nostalgia-fueled resurgence of classic tracks?
With Mexico City already on the 2025 calendar, the answer may come sooner than expected. If international races bring fresh excitement, Brazil could be next. But if they fall flat, Dale Jr.’s “stay in your lane” philosophy may prove to be NASCAR’s best bet.
