NASCAR is truly going global. The 76-year-old American stock car racing series is trying to grow wings with recent efforts. For instance, the docuseries ‘NASCAR: Full Speed’ brings the world to non-racing fans. Then the 2025 Cup Series schedule will feature a race in Mexico City – the first time a points-paying race will be held internationally. Now, a startling development in Formula One may further open the world’s gates to NASCAR. But at the same time, it would break the heart of a top F1 star – Max Verstappen.

A few weeks ago, Verstappen made history. The Redbull driver clinched his 4th consecutive World Drivers’ Championship title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Although the cheers were loud in Sin City, they could never beat those on his home track in the Netherlands. The latter will now permanently die down – throwing up possibilities for NASCAR.

Max Verstappen’s birth track is going away

The beachside track at Zandvoort has long been known for one thing. Passionate fans clad in all shades of orange cheering for the similarly colored Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18. Max Verstappen is a 4-time champion now, and his home track fans could not be less thrilled for him.

He won the first three editions of the race after it returned to the F1 calendar in 2021 for the first time since 1985. Lando Norris won it in 2024. However, F1’s recent announcement should be a shocker for these Verstappen fans.

After 6 years of running races at the Dutch racetrack, F1 will let it go. It granted a one-year contract extension for the 2026 race. The Athletic’s F1 journalist, Luke Smith, updated the news on X. “🚨 F1 confirms the Dutch GP will drop off the calendar after 2026 following talks with the promoter. 2026 race will be a sprint event #F1” At the same time, NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck picked up on this news, suggesting that the American series might be lured to Zandvoort now. “Seems Zandvoort could use a big race in 2027. NASCAR keeps expressing some interest in Europe. Good fit? 🤷‍♂️”

Despite consistently sold-out stands, Dutch GP director Robert van Overdijk discussed the challenges of keeping Zandvoort on the F1 calendar. Other race venues were clashing with Max Verstappen‘s home track. “There were several options on the table to continue. We could rotate with other circuits, there were also possibilities to continue annually. We have made a lot of considerations and this is the outcome. In the end, it is our choice. Maybe the F1 top is surprised, but they certainly respect and understand us.”

The news surprised the NASCAR community as well, as fans started weaving possibilities.

Fans contemplate NASCAR-F1 crossover

Well, such a crossover has already been a reality. For example, F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen enrolled in Project91 to run NASCAR races. Then F1 races are held at NASCAR racetracks like Las Vegas or COTA. However, it has never been the other way around – and this novelty elicited shocked responses from fans. “BROTHER… Nascar’s at Zandvoort is NUTS,” one fan quipped. On the other hand, some only rolled their eyes at this solving NASCAR’s problems. Think low horsepower, boring Next-Gen car performances, and so much more. So one fan wrote: “Just the thing to make NASCAR better. 🙄”

Others drew polar opposite reactions to Jeff Gluck’s suggested possibility. NASCAR is known for beating and banging in heavy stock cars around oval circuits at 200 mph. So one fan is not ready to take this party to F1’s tracks, which are mostly road courses. “Yuck. Can we stop with all the road courses please? Ovals made nascar unique and different from the rest of the world.” Another diehard NASCAR fan suggested teaching the F1 racers some of NASCAR’s tricks. “No thanks. Build some actual superspeedways over there.”

Yet some fans were optimistic about visiting Max Verstappen’s home track. Located close to the North Sea coastline, the Zandvoort track has a fun beach vibe and party atmosphere. Moreover, it has a rich historical value – it hosted John Frankenheimer’s GP and other iconic F1 events. So one fan wrote: “The only Euro track worth taking the cup cars to!!!” Somebody else chimed in with a short but crisp opinion: “Great fit.”

Love it or hate it, Max Verstappen’s track has caught NASCAR fans’ attention. All we can do now is manifest such a legendary crossover soon!