NASCAR Euro Series announced that the 2026 full-season grid will be limited to 26 “Premium” entries, with registration to become one open from 15 November 2025.
NASCAR Euro Series announced several important changes to its entry system on 15 November 2025. It is a move that the series described as an attempt “to elevate the championship even further and strengthen one of the most competitive grids in international motorsport”.
The changes will not only affect how many entries can be present in a race weekend, but also how to acquire a spot on the grid.
Starting from the 2026 season, EuroNASCAR will only accept 26 full-season cars across all divisions. This primarily impacts EuroNASCAR PRO and EuroNASCAR OPEN, as EuroNASCAR Rookie Challenge has yet to see a 20+ grid size in its history.
EuroNASCAR will also implement the “Premium” system to determine the teams that will receive the 26 available full-time spots next year.
EuroNASCAR stated that “securing a Premium full-season entry is the only way to guarantee a position on the 2026 grid at every event and will allow teams to benefit from a new marketing package as well as discounts on entry fees and parts.”
World of EuroNASCAR understands that becoming a Premium entry in 2026 will also give them first priority to register their entries for the 2027 season.
Based on what’s described, this Premium entry system can be considered as EuroNASCAR’s version of the Charter system that is currently in place for NASCAR Cup Series.
While this may seem harmful to the variety in competition given the dramas surrounding the Charter system, it should be noted that most EuroNASCAR seasons have an average grid size of less than 26 cars.
Only the 2018, 2019 and 2022 seasons have an average grid size exceeding 26, with 2022 holding the record for the highest average with 29 cars.
Teams have a two month period – from 15 November 2025 to 15 January 2026 – to secure their Premium entries for next year.
EuroNASCAR stated that “long standing series teams have priority to register before December 15th.”
While it doesn’t implicitly say which teams are considered as “long standing series teams”, it is safe to assume the following teams will be considered as one:
- Academy Motorsport, present since 2017 under its old identity Alex Caffi Motorsport
- CAAL Racing, present since 2013
- Club Competition, present since 2017 under its original identity The Club Motorsport
- Hendriks Motorsport, present since 2018
- Marko Stipp Motorsport, present since 2019
- PK Carsport, present since 2014
- RDV Competition, present since 2012
- SpeedHouse, present since 2019
- Team Bleekemolen, present since 2019
EuroNASCAR also announced that they have “extended direct invitations to a preliminary list of esteemed teams”. This direct invitation is sent to all teams competing in the 2025 season – except Team Japan Needs24, for reasons currently unknown.
If there’s still full-season entry spots available after 15 January 2026, then EuroNASCAR will open registration for any teams wanting to fill these spots.
Entries will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability”. Any existing teams that failed to secure their entries in the initial two-month register period must register again under this provision.
Crucially, teams registering after 15 January 2026 will not receive any of the Premium perks. This also applies to any part-time entries, which is accepted on a race-by-race basis as long as there’s paddock space available to do so.
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