NASCAR and TEAM FJ, the founder and organizer of the official NASCAR championship in Europe, announced the launch of a new era that will thrill competitors and all European racing fans, further growing NASCAR’s footprint in Europe and reinforcing the championship’s position as the best touring car series in the Old Continent. Starting in 2025, the championship will be named NASCAR Euro Series, featuring a new logo and visual identity to expand the presence of the NASCAR brand. TEAM FJ will improve the competition platform by introducing the first stage of the third generation of the EuroNASCAR race car (GEN3), which will hit the track for the official Prologue in Valencia.
TEAM FJ’s technical team will roll out more stages with further developments over the next few years to improve the car in every aspect. The NASCAR Euro Series will also enhance the racing format to make it even more entertaining. In addition, a new driver development ladder with management support and scholarships will give NASCAR Euro Series drivers the opportunity to climb towards the top level of NASCAR racing in the U.S. In the wake of the new branding, NASCAR will take a more prominent role in the championship’s image by becoming the main brand. The move will align the NASCAR Euro Series with NASCAR’s national series model and cater the NASCAR brand to an ever-growing fan base.
“This new era for the NASCAR Euro Series is the result of the strategic plan we developed with NASCAR over the last two years, fully dedicated to bringing NASCAR to the summit of racing in Europe,” said Jerome Galpin, President and CEO of TEAM FJ and NASCAR Europe. “We definitely want to deliver more to our fans, our drivers, our teams, our partners and bring new ones in to discover the unique competition and atmosphere of NASCAR racing at some of the best European race tracks. After 2009 when we founded the Series and 2012 when we became the official NASCAR series in Europe, this is another major step in our successful history where only the sky’s the limit.”
Chad Seigler, NASCAR’s Vice President & Chief International Officer is proud of the work accomplished by the whole international group. “As we continue to expand internationally, we’re excited to strengthen our presence in Europe. The launch of this new era means new opportunities and excitement for participants and partners who will join us starting in 2025,” he said.
The two NASCAR Euro Series championships will be renamed PRO and OPEN, while a new entry level regularity-based competition will feature a new format and become the Rookie Challenge for very young drivers, racers without racing experience and gentleman drivers who want to compete in a friendly environment. The PRO championship will be dedicated as always to professional drivers and elite amateurs, while the OPEN championship will focus on young talents and gentleman drivers. Once again, PRO and OPEN drivers will share the same car, alternating behind the wheel in four exciting races per weekend, two in the PRO and two in the OPEN division.
With the clear goal of offering more European drivers the chance to compete at the top level of NASCAR in the US, the NASCAR Euro Series will set up a ladder system to bring drivers from different environments to NASCAR racing. The Recruitment Tests will represent the first step for drivers coming from other motorsport disciplines, karting or even simracing. Afterwards, they can move to the Rookie Challenge or step into full-fledged NASCAR racing in the OPEN or in the PRO championship.
Approved NASCAR Euro Series drivers will have the opportunity to enter NASCAR road course races in the United States at the top level in the NASCAR National Series. To provide the best preparation, TEAM FJ will set up the new “Road to America” program through a Europe-based NASCAR training and testing team which will organize tests on European tracks. TEAM FJ will also support and manage drivers to find the best possible opportunities to race in the U.S.
Founded in 2009 by French drivers and entrepreneurs Jerome and Anne Galpin through their TEAM FJ organization, the NASCAR Euro Series was officially sanctioned by NASCAR for the first time in 2012. Since then, the championship grew at an impressive pace, rapidly becoming the most exciting touring car series in Europe, a fan favorite thanks to its action-packed NASCAR sprint races surrounded by American-themed festivals and family entertainment.
The 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season will feature seven events in seven different countries starting on April 12-13 in Valencia, Spain and closing on October 11-12 with the traditional Finals at Circuit Zolder, in Belgium.
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series PR
