The French are about to get a taste of NASCAR racing on their home turf in Le Mans at the storied Circuit de la Sarthe. That might sound unbelievable, but it’s happening next year, with a slight twist.
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Instead of the current field of Cup cars, what will be thundering around the famous circuit will be historic NASCAR stock cars. The race will be run by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) as part of its 2026 schedule.
Those classic NASCAR racers will be part of the first-even Le Mans Classic Legend, an event which will be held annually at the famed track.
Image via Historic Sportscar Racing
This interesting arrangement is born out of a new partnership between HSR and Peter Auto, which is the historic racing division for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). Call it a coming together of transatlantic partners as the American and European organizations realize they both benefit from such an arrangement.
During the 2026 season, HSR will be hitting up plenty of iconic American tracks, like Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, and Road Atlanta.
In turn, Peter Auto will be participating in the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour in November 2026. It will bring early-60s GT racecars and F period cars to thrill spectators.
The French got a small taste of what NASCAR is like back in 2023 when the Garage 56 exhibition was showcased during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That was of course with one modern stock car and Cup drivers taking turns behind the wheel.
Now they’re going to see a field of historic stock cars blasting around the track, leaving them with an even more visceral experience. Soon, the European mind will comprehend why Americans love the motorsport so much
Images via Historic Sportscar Racing
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