Arianna Casoli returns to on-track competition in 2026 after she signed a three-race contract with MKM Racing Development in the NASCAR Local Racing Series.
EuroNASCAR OPEN’s most experienced driver Arianna Casoli is heading Stateside for the 2026 racing season. Casoli announced on 26 March that she will be racing in the NASCAR Local Racing Series on a three-race deal with MKM Racing Development.
The move was described as a “significant milestone in her career and in the International NASCAR Series”, as Casoli will become the first female EuroNASCAR graduate to make a serious push in United States NASCAR competition.
“We are proud to welcome Arianna to MKM” said Michael Klein, team owner of MKM Racing Development.
“With her experience in the NASCAR Euro Series competition, she adds strong racing knowledge to our program. We’re excited to combine our expertise and guide her through this transition into American NASCAR with a strong development path.”
Casoli first joined the world of stock car racing in 2016, where she made her EuroNASCAR OPEN debut with Vict Motorsport. She became a mainstay for the next nine years, becoming a prominent racer for CAAL Racing and later SpeedHouse.
Casoli is a five-time champion of the Lady Trophy classification and is the first EuroNASCAR OPEN driver to reach the 100 starts mark.
She also made history as the first – and so far only – female driver in NASCAR Brazil, having competed in the 2024 season finale at Circuito dos Cristais where she finished 12th.
Despite this, overall results are hard to come by for Casoli, with only one top-5 and two top-10 finishes being achieved during her 10-year EuroNASCAR stint.
However, it is not on track where she left her biggest legacy. Rather, Casoli made her mark off-track, where her open minded approach to fans and rivals alike made her a very popular figure in the paddock.
The Italian is also committed to encouraging female drivers to join motorsport, having always spoken about her desire to see more female drivers following in her footsteps.
Ultimately, it is this commitment that encouraged her to make a move to NASCAR Local Racing Series, where she hopes to leave a positive impression for the future generation.
“The United States is the cradle of NASCAR,” said the 52-year old driver from Reggio Emilia. “After ten years in Europe, I knew it was time for a big change.”
“At my age, this step isn’t guaranteed, but I feel blessed to approach it with the same enthusiasm I had in my 20s. This move aligns perfectly with the path I’ve been building over the years.”
“Oval racing in the U.S. is demanding, but I’ve always loved it. In Europe, ovals are no longer on the schedule, but I enjoyed Raceway Venray and Tours. Even my debut in NASCAR Brasil was on an oval.”
“I’m motivated to learn, adapt, and push my limits, making the most of every opportunity on track, and showing once again that women in motorsport can pursue their dreams at any age.”
Casoli also cites the premature end to her 2025 racing season – where she broke her arm in a crash at Vallelunga – as a key element in her decision to go Stateside oval racing in 2026.
“This new adventure is driven by personal motivation but also by the desire to reconnect with that unique feeling of adrenaline and satisfaction that I had lost last season,” adds Casoli.
“I’m chasing the positive vibes that setbacks have dampened. I want to show that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, and perhaps inspire the next generation, often hesitant to embrace change, especially women.”
“American short tracks are demanding and require respect. Being a rookie makes it a true challenge, and that’s exactly what makes it thrilling.”
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