NASCAR’s first road course race of the year at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) turned out to be a surprising success. The key change? NASCAR shortened the track from its usual 3.41-mile layout to a more compact 2.4-mile version, creating a race that felt more like Watkins Glen—fast, competitive, and action-packed.
Even Dale Earnhardt Jr., who isn’t known for being a big fan of road courses, admitted he enjoyed the race. With plenty of passing opportunities, Christopher Bell was able to charge from 19th to victory lane, while Kyle Busch led 42 laps and nearly ended his 59-race winless streak.
Now, the big question is whether COTA should return for a sixth season. Interestingly, Dale Jr. has some thoughts on the matter—and they involve taking NASCAR beyond U.S. borders.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and His Fascination with This European Track!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows tracks—not just because he’s raced and won on many, but because he has a deep passion for them. His show Lost Speedways showcased his love for racing history by exploring abandoned tracks and telling their stories. So when Junior suggests a new venue for NASCAR, it’s worth paying attention.
After the recent COTA race, Junior floated the idea of an international addition to the NASCAR schedule. On his Dale Jr. Download podcast, he said, “If we ever take NASCAR to Europe, where should we race? One of the most historic racetracks there is Brands Hatch. They have a long course that’s great, but they also have an Indy course… which is really short.”
It turns out Junior’s excitement for COTA’s new, shorter layout has changed his perspective on road course racing. He admitted, “Believe it or not, as someone who’s not a huge road course fan, I’m now excited for NASCAR to go back to COTA. Before this weekend, I wouldn’t have cared if it disappeared from the schedule. But now, it gives me the excitement of short-track racing in a road course format, and I want more of that.”
That’s why he thinks Brands Hatch, located in London, could be a perfect fit for NASCAR. The circuit has two layouts: the 2.43-mile Grand Prix course and the much shorter 1.2-mile Indy Circuit. The latter, which Junior is advocating for, would be an even tighter road course than COTA’s new design. He explained, “It’s a short, bullring-style road course, and that’s exactly what I feel like we got with this new COTA layout. I hope it sticks around because it was pretty cool.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Junior has brought up Brands Hatch—he’s clearly got a special interest in seeing NASCAR race there!
If Not COTA, Then Maybe The Clash?
This year’s Clash made a thrilling return, as the Cup Series raced at Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time since 1971. Chase Elliott dominated from start to finish, and fans got to witness the chaotic racing that gives the track its Madhouse nickname. But while the event was a success, there’s a concern—will The Clash lose its excitement if it stays at the same venue every year? That’s why alternative locations are already being discussed.
With NASCAR expanding internationally—Mexico is now on the schedule—Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested that if The Clash ever moves overseas, Brands Hatch would be a perfect choice. He previously said, *“If they take *The Clash* overseas, one track they absolutely should consider is Brands Hatch. The Indy course there is like a short-track road course.”* Clearly, Junior has a soft spot for the circuit—and for good reason.
Though he’s never raced there in real life, Junior has plenty of experience with Brands Hatch through iRacing, where he serves as the executive director. Thanks to its virtual simulation, he’s run the track multiple times and enjoyed the experience. He explained, “Brands Hatch is a road course, but it’s like a short track—only about a mile long with just a few corners. We’ve been racing it online for years.”
With NASCAR looking to shake up the schedule, could this be an exciting addition to the Cup Series? Junior certainly seems to think so!
