Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) is set to make its first foray outside North America by bringing the NASCAR Classic, presented by Goodyear, to the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe as part of the Le Mans Classic Legend weekend in July 2026.
A First‑of‑Its‑Kind Overseas Event
From July 3 to 5, more than 30 historic NASCAR stock cars will take to the 13.6‑kilometre French circuit, marking the series’ inaugural race on foreign soil. The weekend will feature three competitive races, with two of them streamed live on the HSR and International Motor Sports Association YouTube channels.
The opening broadcast is scheduled for 11:00 to 11:55 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 4, while the second race will be available at 3:55 to 4:50 a.m. EDT on July 5, allowing viewers across the Atlantic to tune in live.
Celebrating a Milestone
The event coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary and the Fourth of July holiday, adding a patriotic resonance to a weekend that will showcase automotive heritage from a bygone era of American racing.
Among the drivers slated to compete are Kurt Busch, a 2026 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, who will make his Le Mans debut in a 2020 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro, and Victor Corda, who will drive a 2009 Ford Mustang that traces its lineage to the late Greg Biffle. Michael Parsons will pilot the iconic black No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet Lumina once raced by Dale Earnhardt Sr., while Scott Dolfi will steer a 2016 Kyle Busch Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado Truck.
The grid will also feature historic machinery such as the 1976 Donlavey Racing Ford Torino, a former Kyle Busch Motorsports Silverado, and a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro bearing the Garage 56 livery from the 2023 Le Mans event. Additional entries include a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo used in the filming of Talladega Nights, a 2006 Toyota Camry inspired by Cal Naughton Jr., and a 2006 No. 26 Toyota Camry from the same film, driven by John Doonan.
Broadcast Schedule and Qualifying
Qualifying sessions will commence on the morning of July 3, setting the stage for the July 4 and 5 races. The livestreams will be complemented by on‑demand replays on the HSR and IMSA platforms, ensuring that fans who miss the live feed can still experience the action.
Historic Sportscar Racing, founded in the mid‑1970s, has long been recognized as North America’s premier series for vintage and historic competition. Its expansion to Le Mans underscores a growing appetite for cross‑continental celebrations of motor‑sport heritage.