Last year marked a significant milestone for NASCAR as it expanded its global reach with the introduction of NASCAR Brazil, becoming the fourth international division under the sanctioning body.
The inaugural season of the NASCAR Brazil Sprint Race proved to be a resounding success, laying a solid foundation for the burgeoning motorsport scene in the country.
As the U.S.-based NASCAR series gears up for its season openers at the iconic Daytona International Speedway next week, a notable contingent of NASCAR Brazil drivers will also be present.
They will not only witness the thrilling on-track action at Daytona but will also partake in competitions at the nearby New Smyrna Speedway, a renowned ½-mile asphalt oval in Florida.
Houston-based MCM Racing Development is playing a pivotal role in fostering talent from NASCAR Brazil, fielding three seasoned drivers with experience in NASCAR Brazil in Late Model and Pro Truck races at New Smyrna. This initiative aligns with the track’s annual World Series of Asphalt, commencing this Friday.
Facilitating the exchange of talent between Brazil and the United States, NASCAR will host a group of Brazilian drivers and guests at the upcoming Daytona 500 on February 18, marking the second consecutive season of this collaboration.
Following the Daytona 500, six visiting drivers will undertake testing at New Smyrna the subsequent Monday, further solidifying the ties between the two racing communities.
Chad Seigler, NASCAR’s vice president of chief international officer, highlighted the strategic significance of this partnership, emphasizing the thriving Brazilian motorsport market.
Despite the burgeoning interest, one notable challenge lies in Brazil’s current lack of oval tracks, a staple in NASCAR’s U.S.-based series. To address this gap, NASCAR has incorporated test dates while also encouraging drivers to participate in development programs such as those offered by MCM Racing.
In the coming week, MCM Racing will showcase three promising Brazilian drivers across various series at New Smyrna Speedway.
Among them, Diogo Moscato and Beto Monteiro bring their experience from NASCAR Brazil to the Pro Late Models category, while Felipinho Tozzo, a young talent with success in karting and Copa Truck in Brazil, ventures into Pro Trucks for his first oval race.
Reflecting on the increasing interest from Brazilian drivers in NASCAR, Seigler expressed optimism about the rapid growth witnessed in the sport.
This enthusiasm is further fueled by the historical connections between Brazil and NASCAR, with notable Brazilian-born drivers like Christian Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet Jr., and Miguel Paludo leaving their mark on the sport.
As NASCAR Brazil enters its second year, the fervor and anticipation among Brazilian drivers underscore the promising trajectory of this collaboration, exceeding expectations and ushering in a new era of international motorsport exchange.
