NASCAR’s five-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion thinks it’s time to reward the loyalty of Canadian race fans.
O Canada! Jimmie Johnson Wants To See NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race North Of The Border
Jimmie Johnson said Friday at Michigan International Speedway that he’d like to see NASCAR bring the Sprint Cup Series to Canada because of the “fan hunger” for racing north of the border.
“We have a huge racing audience in Canada,” Johnson said. “The Canadian fans travel to Michigan, to Loudon (N.H.) and even further south to come see our sport. Their presence is felt. We sing their national anthem at certain race tracks for a reason.”
Canadian fans come in particularly large numbers at the races Johnson mentioned as well as at Watkins Glen. If there was a race in Montreal or at another Canadian road course, Johnson expects plenty of fans would come.
"I think it's an untapped market in an area where we can see some growth, get some more eyeballs at the race track and on television, and it's an area we should consider moving to," he said.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver admitted it was easier said than done, though.
“I don’t own a track and I don’t have to worry about the schedule and where dates go,” he acknowledged. “But I would think there’s some weight in that angle and that thought process.”
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