Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) officials today announced the launch of the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage, a racing series for HSR’s growing Group 8 Historic Stock Cars division. The NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage will debut at VIRginia International Raceway on August 23-24, with the HSR NASCAR Classic competing in the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge at VIR.
The introduction of the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage is open to stock cars retired from active racing. It is a direct response to the increasing popularity of the Group 8 Historic Stock Car category among HSR competitors and fans. Interest has been further bolstered by HSR’s partnership with the Historic Stock Car Racing Association (HSCRA), which has produced several successful event weekends in recent years at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen International and other top U.S. racetracks.
“The broad support and rapid growth of the HSR Classic Stock Cars category made it an easy decision for us to launch our own series around this division,” said HSR President Chris Ward. “NASCAR stock cars of all generations are probably the most recognizable race car category to motorsports fans, competitors and even the general public in the U.S. We have seen this incredible growth and popularity over the past few years at several HSR Historic Stock Cars showcase events, especially in partnership with the HSCRA. We cannot thank HSCRA founders Chris Evans and Carlus Gann and all of the HSR Group 8 competitors enough and look forward to racing with them in the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage for many years to come.”
Eligible NASCAR Classic cars include those built to previous NASCAR rulebook specifications for Cup, Xfinity, Truck and ARCA competition. Current editions of the rules-compliant cars in each series, such as the Generation 7 Cup Series chassis, are not eligible for NASCAR Classic competition.
In addition, all rules-compliant cars must feature authentic and period-appropriate paint schemes previously seen in NASCAR competition over the years. For each of the rounds of the 2024 HSR NASCAR Classic Presented by Petty’s Garage, HSR will accept a maximum of 30 select entries.
The Petty’s Garage sponsorship is a perfect fit for the HSR NASCAR Classic, and it comes at a more than fitting time. With one of the “First Families” of stock car racing celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, the partnership with NASCAR Classic adds an on-track competition component to the legendary Petty family’s diamond anniversary celebration that is in full swing all year long.
The VIR event date was part of the 2024 season schedule unveiled last year, but the announcement of the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage coincides with two new racing additions to this year’s calendars.
HSR Historic Stock Cars will now return to Watkins Glen for the second consecutive year to host a support race during the New York track’s NASCAR weekend on September 13-14, which will now be known as the HSR NASCAR Classic at Go Bowling at the Glen.
The other addition is the HSR NASCAR Classic at the NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL 400 on October 11-12, which is HSR’s first appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For more information about the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage and HSR overall, visit hsrrace.com.
