Motorsport
NASCAR vs NASCAR Euro Series: What's the difference and how does European NASCAR work?
Watch NASCAR Euro Series for free on DAZN
NASCAR is one of the most recognisable names in American motorsport, with the Daytona 500, high-speed oval racing and the NASCAR Cup Series known around the world.
But NASCAR racing is not limited to the United States.
The NASCAR Euro Series brings the distinctive sound and style of NASCAR racing to circuits across Europe, with its own cars, drivers and championship format.
So, what is the NASCAR Euro Series and how different is it from the NASCAR fans watch in the United States?
What is the NASCAR Euro Series?
The NASCAR Euro Series is NASCAR's official European championship and has been officially sanctioned by NASCAR since 2012.
Rather than American teams simply travelling to Europe with their Cup Series cars, EuroNASCAR is a separate championship designed specifically for racing on European circuits.
It features drivers and teams from across Europe and the wider world, with the 2026 championship featuring a 26-car grid.
The season consists of seven rounds and 28 races split between the V8GP and OPEN championships.
What is the difference between NASCAR and NASCAR Euro Series?
2007 Getty Images
The biggest difference is that the NASCAR Euro Series is not simply a European version of the NASCAR Cup Series using identical cars and rules.
The Cup Series is NASCAR's premier American championship and uses the Next Gen car. In 2026, Cup cars produce a target 750 horsepower at road courses and ovals shorter than 1.5 miles, with different packages used at other circuits.
EuroNASCAR instead uses its own purpose-built specification car. Every competitor has the same fundamental machinery, placing greater emphasis on the driver and how each team sets up the car.
The current EuroNASCAR car features a 5.7-litre V8 producing around 400 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and a top speed of approximately 245 km/h (152 mph). Electronic driving aids are not permitted.
Another major difference is the circuits.
While oval racing remains central to NASCAR's identity in the United States, the NASCAR Euro Series predominantly visits the road courses that are more familiar to European motorsport fans.
That gives EuroNASCAR a different feel while retaining some of NASCAR's most recognisable ingredients: powerful V8 stock cars, close racing and plenty of contact.
Is NASCAR Euro Series a feeder series for NASCAR?
The NASCAR Euro Series can provide drivers with a route towards racing in the United States, but it should not be viewed as a traditional junior category in the same way Formula 2 feeds into Formula 1.
Instead, it is a standalone NASCAR championship with its own titles and identity.
Drivers from around the world compete in the series, while major names including former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve and NASCAR Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte have previously raced in EuroNASCAR.
How to watch NASCAR Euro Series on DAZN
Fans can watch NASCAR Euro Series action on DAZN in eligible territories.
DAZN's coverage gives European motorsport fans the chance to follow NASCAR-style V8 racing across some of the continent's leading circuits.
Open the DAZN app or visit DAZN, search for “NASCAR Euro Series” and select the event you want to watch.
