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Supercars Calendar Opens NASCAR Windows for Broc Feeney

Supercars Calendar Opens NASCAR Windows for Broc Feeney

Image sourcespeedcafe.com

The updated Supercars schedule has cleared path conflicts for Australian drivers pursuing NASCAR road course outings. Key events at San Diego and Circuit of the Americas now sit clear of local rounds, giving Triple Eight driver Broc Feeney workable dates as he evaluates Cup and Truck Series wildcard possibilities amid ongoing budget considerations.

Key Takeaways

  • ›The San Diego street race (1 August) and COTA (7 March) are clear of Supercars conflicts.
  • ›Sonoma and Watkins Glen remain unavailable due to direct clashes with Townsville and The Bend.
  • ›Broc Feeney is targeting opportunities across the Cup Series and the more budget-accessible Truck Series.
  • ›Commercial budgets remain the critical hurdle, with Cup rounds requiring over $500,000 compared to $150,000 for Trucks.

The confirmation of the Supercars championship schedule has opened up distinct opportunities for Australian drivers targeting select NASCAR road course appearances, with key American dates avoiding clashes on the local motorsport calendar.

Connor Zilisch during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series at San Diego. Image: James Gilbert/Getty Images

speedcafe.com: Connor Zilisch during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series at San Diego. Image: James Gilbert/Getty Images

Clear Windows at San Diego and COTA

The primary boost for Supercars contenders is the clearance of the NASCAR Cup Series street race in San Diego. After the inaugural edition overlapped with the Darwin Triple Crown, the naval base event on 1 August now sits a week prior to the Perth Super440 at Wanneroo Raceway.

A secondary opportunity emerges early in the campaign at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on 7 March, scheduled a week ahead of the Tasmania Super440. However, travel logistics and racing commitments rule out other traditional venues. The Sonoma round on 11 July conflicts directly with the Townsville 500, while the Watkins Glen fixture on 19 September clashes with Supercars action at The Bend Motorsport Park.

Triple Eight Race Engineering’s Broc Feeney. Image: Richard Gresham

speedcafe.com: Triple Eight Race Engineering’s Broc Feeney. Image: Richard Gresham

Feeney Weighs Cup and Truck Options

Triple Eight Race Engineering driver Broc Feeney remains central to the push for American seat time. Feeney previously pursued a wildcard programme with RFK Racing across Sonoma and Watkins Glen that was halted by commercial shortfalls, though he remained embedded with the Ford team trackside in June.

Speaking to Speedcafe, Feeney expressed renewed optimism regarding the calendar alignment while acknowledging the operational hurdles.

"Now that we have a locked down calendar, we can go forward with a plan and try and get some races in for next year," Feeney told Speedcafe. "I was pretty gutted that San Diego clashed this year, that would have been a race that I would love to do. If it all worked out, I’d love to do San Diego. That’s the race that stands out to me."

Beyond the premier tier, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series presents an alternative route. A single Cup Series weekend demands funding exceeding $500,000, whereas Truck entries sit closer to $150,000. Second-tier O'Reilly Series entries average around $250,000, though limited Ford presence restricts manufacturer-aligned drivers.

The Truck Series schedule includes a street circuit round at St. Petersburg, Florida, sharing the weekend with Cup at COTA. It also features Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on 6 September during a free weekend on the Australian calendar, while a round at Lime Rock on 10 July is ruled out due to Townsville.

Commercial Realities Loom Large

Despite the improved scheduling, securing fully funded machinery remains the decisive factor. Feeney highlighted that RFK Racing represents the only realistic Ford wildcard option in the Cup Series, whereas the Truck division affords broader team availability.

"I’ve been trying for four years and felt like I’ve got close a lot of times and nothing’s ever happened," Feeney said. "So it’s great to get the calendar out and know that two races don’t clash, but in the big scheme of things, it means nothing until you know you can get something locked in."

Sourcesspeedcafe.com

FAQ

Which NASCAR road courses do not clash with Supercars?

The Circuit of the Americas round on 7 March and the San Diego street course race on 1 August do not clash with Supercars championship rounds.

Why are Sonoma and Watkins Glen ruled out for Supercars drivers?

Sonoma on 11 July directly clashes with the Townsville event, while Watkins Glen on 19 September conflicts with the Supercars round at The Bend.

What are the approximate budget requirements to run a NASCAR race?

A Cup Series weekend requires more than $500,000, the second-tier O'Reilly Series requires around $250,000, and a Truck Series start costs approximately $150,000.

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