Insane ‘NASCAR Legends Series’ Idea Floated Online Amidst France Family’s Hope to Bring EV Racing to America

Could a new racing series merge nostalgia with the future of motorsports? With the development of an electric stock vehicle prototype in recent years in collaboration with Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet, NASCAR has subtly ushered in a new age. Despite having the appearance of a standard NASCAR, it was devoid of a combustion engine. With a 6-phase motor, producing 1,000 kilowatts, it would quench the thirst for horsepower demands with projected power at 1,300 bhp. But, the iconic roar and the rumble of the traditional V8 would be suppressed, and the mere thought of silent cars running on oval tracks is like a doomsday scenario for NASCAR loyalists.

David Ragan was the one who piloted the EV car during last year’s Chicago Street Race. “I can’t emphasize enough the regeneration capabilities,” he said after the test ride, yet the fans weren’t sold on this idea. Now, it’s clear that an EV car replacing the gas-guzzling V8s in the NASCAR series is a far-fetched idea. But, what if the transition or the change is brought into effect with a compact super series, comprising veteran NASCAR drivers? Large and Spider from Barstool Sports were discussing one such idea proposed by a racing enthusiast on Rubbin is Racing podcast.

Reviving Legends: Could EVs Spark NASCAR’s Next Evolution?

Now, we’ve all heard the rumors or speculations about a breakaway NASCAR EV series. Something like the Formula E. But, it is hard to see the likes of Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin or other full-time drivers compete in it. What would the structure of that new series be like, and who would pilot NASCAR’s newest innovation aimed at sustainability? The answer to this question was shared by a racing enthusiast on Rubbin is Racing.

Sharing the idea out loud, Large stated. “NASCAR Legends EV series, this is after he heard you talk about going down to Miami last week. 6 races a year with retired drivers, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, all those types of guys, at the start with 10-20 cars for each race, making around 50 laps depending on the size of the track. And crowned the champion at the end of the year. What do you think? This is exactly like SRX but with EV cars.” 

An even more fascinating hint has been made by NASCAR behind the scenes: an EV exhibition series. Consider it a sandbox rather than a replacement. An All-Star-style event where manufacturers can showcase electric technology, where current drivers or legends can don suits and try new things, and where the Cup Series‘ integrity is maintained. Although a debut date has not been confirmed, the idea is there.

The idea of an EV series created for legends appeals to a fundamental desire: the nostalgia of watching past winners race again, with the extra twist of cutting-edge technology. For traditional fans, the switch from gas to electric could seem like an impossible leap. One of the podcast hosts, Spider, was enthusiastic about the concept and likened it to the SRX Series, which has a showcase of former drivers. Spider said, “I think it’d be cool,” acknowledging the opportunity for creativity while preserving the sentimental appeal of witnessing iconic racers like Stewart return to the field. Even though some purists find them problematic.

NASCAR’s senior vice president and chief racing development officer, John Probst, previously opened up about the development of the EV. “If you look out across the landscape, one thing that’s for certain is that change is accelerating all around us. We, from a NASCAR perspective, want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to where our future is going. We certainly don’t want to be in the passenger seat and then someday get to the future and go, ‘Oh, where do we need to be?’ It’s not fair to the collaboration that we have with our OEM partners if we go down a particular route that they’re not interested in or that is honestly not relevant to them,” he reportedly said.

From the quiet development of an all-electric prototype to pilot programs involving renewable fuel blends and sustainable tire disposal, the push toward environmental responsibility isn’t limited to one department. It’s systemic. Traditional fans are strongly opposed to NASCAR’s possible transition to electric vehicle racing because they believe that the sport’s fuel-based identity is in danger. That pessimism was shared by voices like Large and Spider, who clarified that he would only back an EV series as a side event and not as a replacement for the Cup Series.

In the long run, the EV series might provide NASCAR with a means of experimenting with new technology without offending its fan base. Nevertheless, given the enduring devotion of V8 fans, the sport must carefully strike a balance between innovation and history as it moves forward.

Dana White could open the door for an EV NASCAR series

UFC President Dana White has announced plans to collaborate with the stock car racing giant to establish a new all-electric racing series called Nitrocross, which might hasten NASCAR’s entry into electric racing. First revealed during an appearance on the Flagrant podcast, the development places White and his investment in Thrill One Sports & Entertainment at the forefront of a daring intersection of sustainable energy innovation with motorsport.

“I’m doing a deal with NASCAR right now to make Nitrocross their electric series. It’s the sickest electric car racing you’ve ever seen. These guys are flying 200 feet in the air in electric cars, and it’s real racing,” White said candidly. White might have made the news too soon. Later, experienced motorsports celebrity and Nitrocross inventor Travis Pastrana stated that White was not allowed to disclose the contract in public and that it was still being discussed. However, the remarks have drawn attention to a possible partnership that would change the course of both NASCAR and Nitrocross’s futures.

White’s participation might offer the spectacle and spark required to draw in a larger and younger audience. Combining NASCAR’s reach and brand power with Nitrocross, which is already well-known for its high-flying, adrenaline-fueled format, might open up new fan interaction opportunities while also supporting more general sustainability objectives. Regardless of the deal’s success or failure, the discussion itself reflects a profound change in American motorsport. Having a long history of gasoline-fueled heritage, NASCAR must now change without losing its core fan base.

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