NASCAR Exploring Bold Ideas For Potential Cup Series Race In Philadelphia….
NASCAR is actively exploring bold ideas for a potential Cup Series race in Philadelphia, specifically at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus .
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s President, stated NASCAR is considering Franklin Field due to its Olympic-size track and urban setting—similar to how they used the L.A. Coliseum .
The idea is still in very early stages, but fits NASCAR’s shift from rural oval builds to city-centric races designed to access underserved markets .
Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey are seen as a passionate short-track fan base but without enough top-tier event presence, making Philly attractive .
The concept follows NASCAR’s trend—most notably the Coleliseum exhibition and the inaugural Chicago street race—in bringing NASCAR directly into major metropolitan hubs .
Stage of Development Still conceptual—no formal agreement or timeline yet.
Venue Feasibility Franklin Field’s oval and infrastructure suit temporary conversion.
NASCAR Strategy Urban events seen as modern growth engines—shifting away from rural-only tracks.
Regional Appeal Northeast race fans are passionate but underserved; big-city events draw new audiences.
Potential Challenges Logistics, permissions, cost, local impact studies, and scheduling integration.
Expect feasibility studies on track prep, neighborhood impact, and city/state cooperation.
NASCAR might release preliminary proposals or timelines in the coming months—potentially as early as late 2025.
Outcome will depend on government & community support, budget feasibility, and NASCAR’s broader urban-race rollout strategy.
Reddit users previously suggested Philadelphia as a natural candidate for street or stadium races:
> “Philadelphia. S/F line at the Rocky Steps… roughly 3–4 mile lap.”
And others highlighted northeastern appetite for new race venues:
> “I think another East Coast race isn’t really ‘untapped’ but Philadelphia … would be interesting to see.”
NASCAR is seriously considering hosting a Cup-level event at Franklin Field, marking a strategic shift toward urban venues. While still early, this reflects NASCAR’s ambition to reach new audiences and energize historic fan regions.
I’ll keep an eye out for official updates—let me know if you want breakdowns on scheduling, logistics, or fan reception next!
