What Is NASCAR Euro Series? How It Works, Playoffs, and Key Differences from US NASCAR

The series has developed into one of Europe's most distinctive motorsport championships, featuring multiple categories, a structured points system, and a playoff-style finale that decides both the PRO and OPEN titles.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Is NASCAR Euro Series and How Does It Differ From US NASCAR?

The NASCAR Euro Series is a European stock car championship sanctioned by NASCAR and staged across a variety of circuits in Europe.

While it shares technical DNA and branding with US NASCAR, the racing product is quite different. The Euro Series primarily runs on road and street circuits rather than the oval-heavy schedule seen in the United States. All drivers compete in identical V8-powered stock cars, creating tightly controlled performance and close racing.

The championship is also divided into PRO and OPEN categories, allowing both professional drivers and developing competitors to race in the same weekend structure but within separate classifications. The calendar is entirely Europe-based, and the format includes a playoff system that is unique within NASCAR's international structure.

What Does NASCAR Stand For?

NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is the governing body responsible for stock car racing championships across the United States and internationally, including the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Euro Series.

How Does the NASCAR Euro Series Racing Format Work?

The NASCAR Euro Series runs across multiple race weekends throughout the season, with each event typically featuring practice, qualifying, and two races per category.

The championship is split into two divisions. The PRO category is the top-level class featuring the leading championship contenders, while the OPEN category is designed for emerging drivers and amateurs developing their stock car racing careers. Both categories use the same cars and circuits, but compete in separate championship standings.

Depending on the event format and entry rules, drivers may compete across different sessions within their respective categories during the same race weekend, making each event a multi-race scoring opportunity.

NASCAR Euro Series Points System Explained

The points system is designed to reward consistency, finishing position, and strong race performance throughout the season.

Points are awarded per race as follows:

1st: 40 points

2nd: 35 points

3rd: 34 points

4th: 33 points

5th: 32 points

6th: 31 points

7th: 30 points

8th: 29 points

9th: 28 points

10th: 27 points

Each position below 10th decreases by one point per place

All classified finishers score at least one point

Drivers can also earn bonus points through qualifying performance and selected race achievements, which can help close gaps in the standings over the course of the season.

Because the gaps between positions are relatively small, consistency across the full season is often more important than isolated race wins.

What Are the NASCAR Euro Series Playoffs and How Do They Work?

The NASCAR Euro Series uses a playoff system to decide both its PRO and OPEN champions.

At the end of the regular season, the top 12 drivers in the PRO standings qualify for the playoffs. These drivers carry their accumulated points into the final phase of the championship, meaning earlier results remain important rather than being reset.

The playoff phase takes place across the final rounds of the season. During this period, all qualified drivers continue to score points in the same system, but the stakes are significantly higher as the championship battle tightens.

There is no elimination round. Instead, the playoffs function as a condensed title fight between the top drivers, with every race carrying increased pressure due to the limited number of remaining events.

As the playoffs progress, consistency becomes critical. A single poor result can severely damage a driver's title chances due to the small points differences between positions.

The championship is ultimately decided in the final playoff rounds, where the driver with the highest total points at the end of the season is crowned champion.

Who Races in NASCAR Euro Series?

The NASCAR Euro Series features a mixed grid of professional drivers, international touring car racers, rising young talents, and experienced stock car competitors, all racing in identical V8 machinery across circuits in Europe.

The championship is split into PRO and OPEN categories, with PRO serving as the main title fight and OPEN acting as a development class for emerging drivers building experience in stock car racing.

Alongside a strong core of European regulars, the series has also attracted several recognisable names from outside traditional NASCAR competition. This includes Nelson Piquet Jr, the former Formula 1 driver and Formula E champion, who brings top-level international experience to the field.

Former Formula 1 driver Alex Caffi has also competed in the series, adding further depth to the championship's connection with single-seater pedigree, alongside a wider mix of GT and touring car specialists.

This blend of backgrounds creates one of the most diverse grids in European motorsport, with drivers from different racing disciplines all competing on equal machinery.

The current reigning champions are:

• Vittorio Ghirelli – EuroNASCAR PRO Champion
• Thomas Krasonis – EuroNASCAR OPEN Champion

Both remain the benchmark names in their respective categories, with Ghirelli leading the top-level PRO field and Krasonis holding the OPEN crown after their most recent title-winning campaigns.

Where Can You Watch NASCAR Euro Series Live?

NASCAR Euro Series is available to watch live and on demand on DAZN in territories worldwide, excluding the Netherlands and Romania.

Coverage includes race weekends throughout the season, featuring qualifying sessions, championship races and the battle for both the EuroNASCAR PRO and EuroNASCAR OPEN titles.

Fans can follow Europe's official NASCAR championship as drivers compete in identical V8-powered stock cars across some of the continent's most iconic circuits.

You can watch on the DAZN app, available on smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers.

If you do not already have a DAZN account, getting started is simple:

• Download the free DAZN app from your device's app store, or visit DAZN.com on your computer.
• Select Sign Up or Log In.
• Create an account using your email address, or sign in with Apple, Google or Facebook.
• Once registered, you'll have access to DAZN's free content and live events that are available in your region.
• Search for NASCAR Euro Series and start watching.