BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 18:  Nelson Piquet Jr., driver of the #30 Autotrac Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 18: Nelson Piquet Jr., driver of the #30 Autotrac Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brazil interested in hosting 2026 Clash

On Thursday, there was a meeting attended by Governor of São Paulo state Tarcísio de Freitas and Mayor of the city of São Paulo Ricardo Nunes. Also in attendance was Tom Dannemiller, who serves as NASCAR’s representative in Brazil, as well as NASCAR’s Chief Marketing Officer, Pete Jung. Secretaries from both sides (municipality and state) were there as well, formalizing their interest in hosting pre-season the 2026 season, the Clash.

This would be the the first NASCAR Cup Series race to ever be run in Brazil, or on the continent of South America. The country is already home to NASCAR Brazil. The series is competing at Interlagos this weekend and Cup star Daniel Suarez is taking part in the event. The Mexican-born racer is already locked into the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Nelson Piquet Jr. is the only Brazilian racing driver has managed to win in any of the three national levels of the sport. He won two Truck Series races in 2012, as well as a NASCAR Xfinity race during the same year.

Motorsport