Nascar is rumored to be coming back to Montreal, Canada with its (inter)national touring series, with Xfinity and Trucks next year and Cup following in 2027. Let’s take a look back at Nascar’s previous excursions north of the border.
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Truck Series 2013-19): This road course, better known as “Mosport”, hosted the Truck Series on or about the US Labor Day weekend for seven years before Nascar was effectively kicked out due to COVID-19 protocols. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT: John Hunter Nemechek and Cole Custer battle for the win in 2016, first in their trucks, then with their fists. Now both drivers battle for 28th place in the Cup Series.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Xfinity Series 2007-12): The famed island course in Montreal, best known for being F1’s longtime Canadian stop, played host to Nascar’s second-tier series for six seasons before promoter issues halted what had become a popular race weekend. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT: 2007, when Robby Gordon did the most Robby Gordon thing imaginable by passing under yellow, refusing to heed the black flag, then doing a victory burnout despite having been disqualified. (honorable mention: 2012’s Montreal Shoe Job)
Exhibition Stadium (Cup Series 1958): Nascar made its first international visit with the then-Grand National Series in 1958, competing at the stadium that would later host the early days of the Toronto Blue Jays. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT: While Lee Petty won that day, the race became better-known as the debut appearance of his son Richard as a driver. And while it's ironic that King Richard made his first Nascar start outside of the US, it still doesn’t make up for that terrible song Alabama put out.
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