BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR CEO Jim France Drops a Bombshell Announcement Concerning the Future of the Sport
daytona beach, fl — april 5, 2025 — in a shocking development that has sent shockwaves through the motorsports world, nascar ceo jim france has made a bombshell announcement regarding the future of america’s premier stock car racing organization. during a press conference held earlier today at nascar headquarters in daytona beach, france revealed plans for a major overhaul of the nascar cup series beginning in 2026, aimed at modernizing the sport, expanding its global reach, and appealing to a younger generation of fans.
“nascar must evolve,” france declared. “to remain relevant, competitive, and globally recognized, we are making bold, unprecedented changes that will shape the future of racing for decades to come.”
the announcement included several key components that mark a radical departure from tradition:
1. introduction of international races
starting in the 2026 season, the nascar cup series will expand to include four international races, with events set to take place in tokyo, sydney, london, and montreal. this move is part of a long-term strategy to globalize the nascar brand and attract new fans worldwide. it will be the first time the nascar cup series holds regular season points races outside north america.
2. electrification of select races
in another groundbreaking shift, nascar will pilot all-electric races in the 2026 season as part of a newly formed “nascar e-series.” the new series will run alongside the cup series and will showcase electric stock cars developed in partnership with top manufacturers. france emphasized the importance of sustainability and innovation in this move.
“our commitment to sustainability is unwavering,” he said. “the nascar e-series will bring cutting-edge technology to our tracks while preserving the fierce competition that defines our sport.”
3. revamped points system and playoff format
france also unveiled a new points system and expanded playoff format, aimed at increasing competitiveness throughout the season. under the new rules, more emphasis will be placed on stage wins and consistency, with 16 drivers advancing to the playoffs instead of 12, and a new elimination format that resets every two races.
4. streaming-focused broadcast rights deal
starting in 2026, nascar will enter into an exclusive digital media rights partnership with a major streaming platform, ending decades of traditional cable coverage. the unnamed partner—rumored to be either amazon prime video or netflix—will stream all races live, including practice and qualifying, with behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, and documentary-style features integrated into the weekly coverage.
5. driver salary cap and team spending regulations
in a move aimed at leveling the competitive playing field, nascar will introduce a salary cap for drivers and spending limits for teams—a controversial decision likely to spark debate among owners and veteran drivers. france said this was necessary to maintain long-term parity and encourage smaller teams to thrive.
the racing community is already buzzing with reactions. while some fans applaud the bold direction and innovation, others have expressed concern over moving away from nascar’s deep-rooted traditions.
dale earnhardt jr., reacting live on social media, said: “this is the most dramatic shake-up i’ve seen in my lifetime. some things are exciting, others i’m not so sure about. we’ll see how it all plays out.”
nascar is expected to provide more details in the coming weeks, including technical specifications for the electric series and the final list of international venues. one thing is certain—the sport of stock car racing will never be the same.
