Steve Phelps confirms NASCAR has had talks about Dodger Stadium hosting a race
Earlier this week it was reported that NASCAR had talked with the LA Dodgers about hosting a race at Dodger Stadium in the near future. NASCAR President Steve Phelps has now confirmed those reports and given more details.
One thing has been clear since the Busch Light Clash was moved to LA Coliseum, NASCAR wants and needs to have at least one race in that market. Los Angeles is just too important of a market to ignore.
With Auto Club Speedway being demolished and plans for a new track not formally approved, who knows when NASCAR can return to a traditional race in or near Southern California.
However, hosting a NASCAR race at Dodger Stadium is eye-opening. It was wild to see the Cup Series at the LA Coliseum. Steve Phelps has his eyes on the next thing, though.
“We are committed to the market,” Phelps told Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “It’s important. What it looks like at this point next year, I don’t know. Was there an exploration with the Dodgers, working with Formula E and creating a potential joint opportunity there? Yeah.
“That should not be a surprise. It’s just due diligence. If something hits, great, and if it doesn’t so be it, but I think we need to continue to push the boundaries, not just from a schedule standpoint. I think we’ve seen that, or fans have seen that and media have seen that. We have a willingness to think differently and it’s working.”
Tying in Formula E for a small street-course race around the stadium would be really intriguing. I’m not sure how Cup cars could navigate a track set up for Formula E. Still, it sounds fun, interesting, and could marry fans of Formula racing and NASCAR, at Dodger Stadium of all places!
NASCAR at Dodger Stadium and elsewhere in 2025
Things seem to be shaping up for a truly different NASCAR schedule next year. It is the beginning of the new TV deal, the new charter deal (when it gets settled), and a lot of excitement is going to be behind it.
Phelps has mentioned going international. It is no secret that NASCAR wanted to go to Montreal this year. However, a deal with the city and the track did not come together in time for the 2024 schedule.
NASCAR could end up going not only to Canada next year but also to Mexico. There are a ton of options on the table for the Cup Series and Xfinity Series. As the sport continues to reach out globally with new series and taking races abroad, it will hopefully, grow.
What do we think about NASCAR at Dodger Stadium with a completely electric series as the support race? I would like to be there if that does happen and see it all go down. I’m sure NASCAR will put on quite a show on and off the track whenever they go back to Los Angeles in 2025.