What tracks should NASCAR consider next?

Should NASCAR visit new tracks or stay with the status quo and continue running at the tracks where they currently compete?

NASCAR fans are craving road courses and more short tracks as opposed to the “cookie-cutter” tracks that make up the bulk of the schedule. Could we see more races on the dirt? What tracks would fit the scheme and make fans get more excited about the sport?

If fans want more road courses, there are a few in the Northeast (street courses as well) that would be exciting.

The first road course that deserves an Xfinity Series or Cup Series race is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. This 10-turn, 2.459-mile (3.957-kilometer) track is located under 50 miles from Toronto, Ontario in Bowmanville, and it has hosted a Truck Series race each year since 2013.

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The Truck Series finishes at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park over the past few seasons have been exciting and the Xfinity Series and Cup Series would not disappoint there, either.

If the Cup Series makes the trip across the northern border to run at the track formerly known as Mosport Park, it would mark the first time NASCAR’s top series competed outside of the United States since the 1998 exhibition race at Twin Ring Motegi Superspeedway in Motegi, Japan.

If the traditional road course isn’t your cup of tea, how about the street course in downtown Toronto itself? Located on the famed grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the 11-turn, 1.786-mile (2.874-kilometer) temporary street circuit in Toronto is used for the NASCAR Pinty’s Series as the undercard to the NTT IndyCar Series.

The tight and compact circuit encompasses Lake Shore Boulevard and runs mostly through the grounds of the CNE. The IndyCar event in Toronto is the second longest-running street course race behind the race on the famed race on the streets of Long Beach, California.

During Honda Indy Toronto weekend, the Pinty’s Series and Stadium Super Trucks take to the course, and the CNE holds plenty of other racing history as well. Stock cars and TQ Midgets have both raced at the track that was built on the outside of Exhibition Stadium.

If NASCAR decides to give a track a second chance, why not return to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec? NASCAR has not raced at this historic 14-turn, 2.71-mile (4.361-kilometer) road course on Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec, Canada since 2012.

The track hosted Xfinity Series races from 2007 to 2012 and saw six different winners, including Kevin Harvick, Ron Fellows, Carl Edwards, Boris Said, Marcos Ambrose, and Justin Allgaier.

But promoters of the facility and NASCAR couldn’t reach an agreement to keep Xfinity Series race there in 2013. A Truck Series race would be interesting to see here along with the return of the Xfinity Series, and the Cup Series would be an amazing addition to Montreal.

If the Truck Series can have a race on the dirt, why can’t the Xfinity Series or even the Cup Series? Eldora Speedway would appear to be the most logical venue, as NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart owns and operates that facility.

The Truck Series has seen some very competitive races at the four-turn, 0.5-mile (0.805-kilometer) dirt oval in Rossburg, Ohio in recent years, and the addition of the sport’s top two series there would fit well on either schedule while also making a bold statement for both.

In 2020, the Pinty’s Series is slated to make its maiden voyage on the dirt with a race at Ohsweken Speedway in Ohsweken, Ontario. Ohsweken is the home of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, one of the most prestigious 360 Sprint Car events in North America.

Tony Stewart, Stewart Friesen, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and Rico Abreu are among some of the big names who have driven at Ohsweken in Sprint Cars over the past few years.

A pipe dream of mine would be a Truck Series race or an Xfinity Series race at Holland Speedway, just southeast of Buffalo, New York. A track that is rich in tradition, Holland Speedway was one of the founding tracks of what is now known as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, part of NASCAR Home Tracks.

Holland Speedway has been home to several Whelen Modified Tour and K&N Pro Series East events. The 0.375-mile (0.604-kilometer) configuration could be a bit small for NASCAR’s top three series, but the track would host exciting racing. The main concern about a race at the track is the pit road, as there is a figure eight track in the infield.

After sitting dormant in 2019, 2020 is slated to see multiple races at Holland Speedway, including a Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series event.

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There are numerous tracks all across the country and throughout North America that could provide great turnouts for NASCAR, including several that have hosted numerous major touring series races. Such tracks include Oswego Speedway (both on dirt and pavement) in Oswego, New York and Spencer Speedway in Williamson, New York, just east of Rochester. What tracks would you like to host and see a Truck Series, Xfinity Series or Cup Series race?

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