In the heart of Manhattan, a group of NASCAR enthusiasts has turned the city’s bustling bars and restaurants into impromptu race‑day venues, forging a community that thrives far from any superspeedway.
Grassroots Growth in the City
The NYC & NJ NASCAR Club, founded by Julian Ricci, began when he acquired an inactive Meetup group in December 2024 and rebranded it to reflect the city’s growing fan base.
Since then, the club has staged everything from Daytona 500 viewing parties to off‑season karting nights and holiday gatherings, with the 2026 Daytona 500 drawing a peak crowd of 55 attendees.
Stars and Partnerships
Brian Barbarow, an ARCA Menards Series driver who lives in New York and works as a Delta Air Lines pilot, is a regular presence at the watch parties, often arriving straight from the cockpit.
Rutledge Wood, the NBC trackside host and reporter, has also joined the gatherings, bringing a professional racing perspective that resonates with the club’s members.
A partnership with Mamba’s NASCAR Sundays in 2026 amplified the club’s reach, merging audiences and hosting combined events such as a Talladega watch party that attracted a larger, more diverse crowd.
Social media, especially Instagram, has been instrumental in pulling new fans into the fold, allowing the club to showcase unique memorabilia — from a Clint Bowyer‑inspired car model to a niche pit‑stop data website.
Future Ambitions
Looking ahead, the organizers plan to increase attendance, invite former NASCAR drivers for meet‑and‑greets, display a full‑size stock car, and extend their programming to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Their ultimate goal is to spark similar urban fan clubs in other metropolitan areas, starting with Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco, ensuring that the excitement of NASCAR can flourish year‑round wherever fans gather.