It's not if, but when NASCAR will return to NSS in '25
May 1—GLADEVILLE
Nashville Superspeedway is entering the final year of a four-year contract to hold a NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
After two Cup Series sellouts in the previous three years, the track's senior vice president/general manager isn't concerned about a new contract.
"I would say the future is bright in Nashville for NASCAR racing," Matt Greci said last Friday during a media availability before a VIP ride-along with ARCA driver Logan Misuraca (who has moved to Wilson County) and Truck Series racer Ty Dillon. "Our ticket sales are ahead of our sellout of last year and we're deep in talks specifically on when our date will be next year.
"So no concern on where the future is for Nashville Superspeedway or NASCAR Cup Series here in Nashville. Things are progressing really well."
While the Cup race has attracted packed houses and big ratings on NBC, the lower-tier Xfinity Series and Truck Series, set for Friday and Saturday before Sunday's Cup race the weekend of June 28-30, was mentioned by Greci during a question-and-answer session and asked about during an interview afterward.
"If you're here for Sunday you should be here for Friday and Saturday," Greci said. "Friday is our Rackley Roofing 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Some of the best racing I think that's on the series is through the Truck Series with young folks just getting into the Truck Series drivers but also with the veterans. It's a great balance of inexperience and experience. With that comes some excitement.
"And then the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday. Last year was action packed with plenty of cautions, plenty of ups and downs for the drivers."
This year racing action isn't limited to late June as the IndyCar Series will return to the oval for the first time since 2008 — harkening back to the track's first decade when the facility hosted several race weekends a year. This is a landing spot for the open-wheel series as the area around downtown Nashville will be unavailable for the Sept. 15 Big Machine Grand Prix road race due to construction of the new Nissan Stadium.
This will serve as the IndyCar's season finale where the 2024 champion will be crowned in addition to the race winner.
There's no official time frame for how long Indy will race here, but the stadium is scheduled to open in 2027, meaning a three-year window appears likely.
Scott Dixon, one of the few veterans remaining from the circuit two decades ago, is riding a three-race win streak here, if a 16-year gap still qualifies as a hot streak.
"A lot of buzz," Greci said of the Indy race. "Ticket sales are going really well. We're still building out with Scott Borchetta and Big Machine label group. Scott's the promoter for the race. With that is going to come an entertaining weekend with music and racing and a lot more to come with announcements."
