2017 NASCAR Whelen Euro schedule spans six countries

The 2017 schedule for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has been released with several familiar venues once again hosting the NASCAR-sanctioned series with two new venues that will help make up the 12-race slate, spanning facilities in six countries throughout Europe.

Each weekend will two rounds of racing for both the Elite 1 and Elite II divisions for a total of four events each weekend at each host location.

For the third consecutive season, Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste, Valencia, Spain will host the season opening weekend as part of the Valencia NASCAR Fest with a both divisions competing on April 8th and 9th.

The series will return to Brands Hatch Indy in Kent, England on June 10th and 11th for the fifth edition of the American Speedfest.

One of the most anticipated dates on the 2017 schedule will be be the newly added Hockenheimring round in Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany on July 1st and 2nd.

The final weekend of the regular season will see the NWES visit an oval facility at Raceway Venray in Venray, Netherlands,. The fastest half-mile in Europe will host its event on July 15th and 16th, respectively.

The playoffs begin in September with another new course – Autodromo di Franciacorta in North Italy near Garda Lake. The Italian circuit will host the NWES for the first time on the 16th and 17th on its 2.519km road course.

The season will conclude for the third consecutive year at Circuit Zolder in Belgium.

“We are very proud of this calendar and honored to work with such amazing circuits and organizations,” said Jerome Galpin, president of NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. “We will visit some of the greatest facilities in Motorsports and offer the fans one of the best racing experiences they can find in Europe, filled with pure racing in a fun American atmosphere. It’s also a tremendous value for every team, driver and their sponsors; no series in Europe can offer them a better and more cost-effective form of racing than NASCAR."

“The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has seen amazing growth and the fans have really embraced the series,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president. “We are excited about bringing the series to Hockenheimring and Franciacorta, and very pleased to continue our long-term relationships with four classic venues: Valencia, Brands Hatch, Venray and Zolder. Together, we are looking forward to unprecedented excitement in our European series and continuing the series’ progress.”

Anthony Kumpen won the 2016 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series ELITE 1 Division champion for his second championship and he’ll be officially awarded his title at the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Series Awards on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center / NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina.

2017 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Schedule

*Playoff schedule in bold (Double points)