Former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr is returning to Circuit Ricardo Tormo this weekend to compete in the 2026 Valencia NASCAR Fest, the only NASCAR event on the Spanish motorsport calendar. Piquet Jr will take the wheel of a Ford Mustang in the V8GP division, the most powerful class in the NASCAR Euro Series, as the European series opens its 2026 season at the Valencia circuit in Cheste.
The Valencia NASCAR Fest runs this weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, bringing together the full grid of the NASCAR Euro Series across three competitive divisions: V8GP, OPEN and Rookie Challenge. Tickets are on sale now and include access to both the grandstands and the paddock.
A full grid for the season opener
The V8GP division leads the bill with a strong lineup of drivers drawn from the NASCAR Euro Series and other motorsport disciplines, alongside champions from lower categories making their step up to the top class. The OPEN division is expected to produce close racing from the first round, featuring experienced drivers, regular race winners and specialists from other series. The Rookie Challenge returns as a key element of the NASCAR Euro Series structure, with first-time competitors from several countries taking on their first official races of the championship in Valencia.
Truck racing adds to the spectacle
The Spanish Truck Racing Championship joins the programme as a supporting event, adding a further layer of spectacle to the weekend. Twelve competition trucks take to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo circuit, with reigning champion Josy Vila entering as the leading title contender.
Paddock access for all ticket holders
Throughout the weekend, spectators can explore the paddock and interact directly with drivers and teams, a format that has become one of the defining features of the NASCAR Euro Series experience. Parallel activities run alongside the racing programme, creating an event aimed at motorsport fans of all ages and families attending together.
All tickets for the Valencia NASCAR Fest grant access to the grandstands and the paddock at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The event marks the start of the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season and represents the championship’s only scheduled appearance in Spain this year.
