In 2024, NASCAR Euro Series saw higher audience numbers, with races in seven countries and drivers from 25 different nationalities. Are Europeans hungrier for motorsports? Has NASCAR Euro Series changed the formula? Why are more people turning out?
The main thing about the NASCAR Euro Series is connecting people. The cars are just a tool for fun. We focus on building a community where fans, drivers, and teams come together to share our passion for pure racing.
In Europe, we all share an appreciation for American culture, whether it is through movies or TV shows. NASCAR brings that culture to life in a way that is accessible, colorful and entertaining. At our events, you will experience elements of American culture like cheerleaders, country music, barbecue contests, and classic American car exhibitions. You can meet drivers on the grid during the grid walk. It is a place where people connect physically with the sport, not just virtually.
Big entertainment events have notoriously big carbon footprints. In motorsports, the transport of teams, vehicles and equipment around the world is a huge source of emissions. What steps is NASCAR Euro Series taking to mitigate the climate impact of its logistics?
We start with simple steps like keeping the scale of our teams reasonable. We travel with two or three cars per trailer, which means for 25 cars in NASCAR Euro Series, we only need 10-15 semi-trailers. We also try to minimize the environmental impact by working on our cars and consumables. Our cars have no electronics and are made of renewable materials like steel, fiberglass, and zinc.
For tires, drivers use only one set of four tires for all races and qualifying during a weekend, which reduces consumption. Additionally, we focus on local solutions, such as sourcing fuel and parts locally, and we work with racetracks on waste recycling.
Permanent racetracks can be very resource-intensive in terms of energy and water-use. Can you give examples of how European racetracks are adapting to become more energy-efficient?
The permanent track in Zolder, Belgium, has a large solar panel park and wind turbines at the track, and many tracks are working on water recycling and reusing materials like tires, oil, and liquids.
Most tracks are also becoming multipurpose facilities. For example, at Vallelunga, there is a mountain bike park, making the facility more energy-efficient and sustainable. At Zolder, I frequently see people riding around the track in the evenings. They have added a velodrome, built changing rooms, and at the bottom end of the track, added a pedal drum and other sports features, so the facility can serve a wider range of events.
Motorsport has always been a proving ground for innovation. How is NASCAR Euro Series investing in biofuels?
On biofuels, we have partnered with European Energy Group, a leader in green transition initiatives, to develop e-methanol. They recently opened the largest e-methanol plant in Denmark, and we aim to start using a blend of e-methanol in Euro NASCAR in the coming weeks or months.
What is important is that our cars use standard fuel pump specifications, meaning the e-fuel we are developing will be something that everyday people can use in their own cars in three to five years. Using standard fuel reduces logistics and transportation costs, as we can source it locally, rather than relying on race-specific fuel that must be shipped from far away.
High decibels are one of the visceral thrills of motorsports. How are fans responding to EV racing?
As a motorsport enthusiast, I think it is good to have new initiatives, but entertainment is very personal. Everyone has their own way of enjoying racing. Some people enjoy the idea of electric racing, while others may not find it as entertaining. The question around green racing is also whether it is truly green—if you are showcasing eco-friendliness but still using a lot of resources for logistics, it may not have the desired impact.
Biofuels are a good solution because they allow us to maintain the automobile economy, with dealerships and mechanics still servicing cars, while reducing emissions. They will also allow us to keep the same noise and excitement in the races. Historically, engine performance has improved with lower capacity engines, and today’s engines are very efficient. We are also exploring options like hydrogen, but it is still early for large-scale implementation. Ultimately, there is not just one solution—different motorsports can use different energy sources.
With such a high profile, some would say that NASCAR has a responsibility to socialize this technology. What role do you think NASCAR can or should play in this shift?
It is difficult to say what the right path is today. When we talk about EV vehicles, there are varying opinions on whether it is the right way to go, and the costs of production and recycling are important factors to consider. I think sustainability is everyone’s responsibility, and we all need to support going green. However, there is not a clear consensus on what the best energy source is right now.
That is why in the NASCAR Euro Series we focus on making small, strong changes, like recycling components and shortening the supply chain. These actions help, even if we are not yet sure which energy path will be the best for everyone. Some regions, like Europe, may be able to plug in electric cars, but in places like Morocco or South Africa, this might not be feasible yet. We still need more information to know which solution is truly global and sustainable.
How do you define success for NASCAR Euro Series in 2025 and 2026?
For us, the key to success is all about people. We focus a lot on integrating with the community, and we do simple things like donating penalties to UNICEF instead of paying them to a federation. We also bring kids and schools to the racetrack to teach them the values of connecting with people. Racing is just a medium for bringing everyone together to share a passion and have a great time.
Our success is already evident when we see packed grandstands at events like Brands Hatch or Vallelunga. It is great to see families and young kids smiling, meeting their heroes, and having fun. The goal is to continue growing and developing the series, attracting more people, and expanding our community.
