Rumor: NASCAR eyes Cup race in Montreal

According to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, NASCAR is in discussions with entities in Montreal about bringing the racing series back to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Daytona Beach-based property held events at the Montreal island track from 2007 through 2012 with its second-tier Xfinity Series, but a return this time could for the first time involve its premier Cup Series.

NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell told SBJ in February that NASCAR was looking at possible Cup Series races in both Mexico and Canada among other countries internationally, as it looks to grow its global presence.

Now, sources have identified Montreal as one of those specific cities that is in talks. The negotiations are said to be ongoing and not yet complete, so they could end without a deal or see the proposed races delayed beyond 2024.

NASCAR has been working intently on making several big changes to its 2024 schedule, the last of its current 10-year media rights agreement with Fox Sports and NBC Sports.

President Steve Phelps said at the 2022 CAA World Congress of Sports that “our 2024 schedule will probably be the most aggressive we’ve ever had in terms of continued variation (with new markets and tracks),” and NASCAR SVP/Racing Development & Strategy Ben Kennedy told SBJ that the property’s plans for the 2024 schedule are “pretty well in motion.”

NASCAR and the circuit, which is owned by the city, both declined on-record comment about the discussions. It was not clear what track currently on the NASCAR schedule might lose a race if Montreal gained one. It’s unclear if NASCAR or another entity would promote the race.  See more at Sports Business Journal.