Unlocking the Future: NASCAR and IMSA's Collaborative Vision

NASCAR Holdings and its IMSA sports car property have been engaged in discussions about the potential for a future race event where both series would compete together. IMSA recently concluded its 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, which was broadcast on NBC and USA Network. The IMSA series stands out in the racing world for its impressive roster of 18 participating automakers, with a 19th officially announcing its entry this week and a potential 20th on the horizon. This diverse lineup includes the likes of Acura, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, and BMW, in stark contrast to the limited number of carmakers involved in NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1.

Unlocking the Potential of a Collaborative Future

Strengthening the Bond: NASCAR's Presence at IMSA Events

NASCAR's executive team, including President Steve Phelps and EVP & Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst, were present at the annual IMSA Chairman's Executive Dinner held near Atlanta last Thursday night. This event, which featured a meal from a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant, is a testament to the close relationship and ongoing dialogue between NASCAR and IMSA. The presence of these high-level NASCAR officials at an IMSA event underscores the importance the organization places on closely monitoring and engaging with its sports car property.

Exploring Shared Weekends: The Potential for Collaboration

IMSA President John Doonan has revealed that discussions are ongoing between himself, NASCAR's COO Steve O'Donnell, and NASCAR's EVP and chief venue and racing innovations officer, Ben Kennedy, about the possibility of running future NASCAR companion events. Doonan expressed his enthusiasm for the idea, stating that he would love to see IMSA collaborate with NASCAR and have the two series share a weekend, providing fans with a unique and exciting experience. While there are no specific announcements yet, the ongoing discussions suggest that both organizations are actively exploring ways to leverage their respective strengths and bring their fans together.

Adapting to the Changing Landscape: NASCAR's Embrace of Road Courses and Street Circuits

The potential for a collaborative event between NASCAR and IMSA is further bolstered by the fact that NASCAR is increasingly embracing road courses and street circuits in its schedule. Traditionally known for its oval track races, NASCAR has been expanding its horizons, with the introduction of street circuit races and the inclusion of road courses in its lineup. This shift aligns with IMSA's expertise in road course and street circuit racing, potentially creating opportunities for the two series to complement each other and offer fans a diverse and thrilling racing experience.

Pandemic-Driven Collaboration: The Charlotte Roval Experiment

During the COVID-19 pandemic, IMSA and NASCAR took steps to collaborate and complete their respective seasons. In 2020, two of IMSA's four classes were able to compete at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval, a combination of a road course and an oval, as part of this effort. This successful experiment demonstrated the potential for the two series to work together and provided a glimpse of the kind of unique and engaging events that could be possible in the future.

Record-Breaking Attendance: IMSA's Continued Growth

According to IMSA President John Doonan, 10 of the 11 races held so far in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season have seen record attendance, as reported by the event promoters. Furthermore, the Road Atlanta campgrounds, which snake around hundreds of acres, appeared to be close to capacity on the Friday of the Motul Petit Le Mans race. IMSA also reported that the crowd at this past weekend's event was a record, up 8% year-over-year. These impressive attendance figures underscore the growing popularity and appeal of the IMSA series, making it an attractive partner for NASCAR as it seeks to expand its reach and engage with new audiences.