Brad Ranson joined the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series V8GP grid with Speedhouse – The Canadian, who embarks on a trans-Atlantic NASCAR schedule, praises the platform and its intense but fair racing
- Brad Ranson is one of the new faces of the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series V8GP season
- The Canadian wheels the #33 Speedhouse Ford in the top-tier championship
- The 30-year-old praises the parity and also fair racing in European NASCAR
Many international talents have discovered the NASCAR Euro Series in the past and all of them loved the parity and intense racing the championship delivers. Brad Ranson is one of the new faces of the 2026 V8GP season, having joined the series with Lucas Lasserre’s Speedhouse team as part of his trans-Atlantic commitment to both European NASCAR and NASCAR Canada Series. Driving the #33 Ford, the Canadian scored consistent results in the first six races, sitting 18th in the overall standings and fourth in the Challenger Trophy ranks.
“The first three events were all about getting comfortable in the series and with the NASCAR Euro Series platform,” he said. “We kept it clean and picked up points, as was the plan, but I expect to improve our results upon our return. The best parts of the series to me are the racing and the tracks. Valencia, Paul Ricard, and Brands Hatch are all world-class tracks. As well, with the cars being so equal, it makes for great, tight racing while still being more respectful than a lot of other series.”
Working alongside Lasserre, who has been part of the championship since its founding in 2009 and therefore knows every detail to make his cars go fast, has aided Ranson’s ability to adapt with the powerful machines with no driving aids. “We have also found ourselves a great home at Speedhouse. I can’t say enough about Lucas and the team he has put together to give us fast cars every weekend, while also maintaining a garage that you want to be in when you get off the track,” Ranson said about the work of the French team.
Lasserre and his talented crew of mechanics have also helped Ranson to adapt to European tracks and its racing culture. Legendary venues like Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Circuit Paul Ricard and Brands Hatch – the home of NASCAR GP Spain, France and the UK – are all new to Ranson, but the 30-year old has passed the challenges with flying colors.
“For me and Speedhouse, it is about working and focusing on the driving and track learning in Europe,” Ranson continued. “There’s a lot that goes into a NASCAR Euro Series race week, from media to engineering meetings to hosting sponsors, with it all at new tracks to me that increase the level of focus needed. Turning that switch on when the green flag drops is crucial for results.”
To make the next step, Ranson will use the summer break to make further strides. Ranson isn’t only competing in the NASCAR Euro Series, he’s also competing in his native country’s NASCAR championship. With two rounds of Canadian NASCAR racing scheduled during the European summer break, he will make his return to the V8GP division with more track time under his belt.
“I will be preparing and training as usual by doing more racing,” the Canadian said. “I have a shorter break with two NASCAR Canada Series races on July 19 at Calabogie Motorsports Park and August 15 at the Markham Street Course before the end of the NASCAR Euro Series summer break. If we get some time, hopefully a quick weekend trip to the lake!”
“The biggest story I am focused on is continuing our improvement as a driver and as a team heading into the second half of the season,” added Ranson. “We are putting the work in and doing things the right way, and we know it will end up in positive results.”
Keep an eye on the Challenger Trophy driver who wants to improve when the season continues on August 29-30 at Autodrom Most. With a personal best of 14th place overall at Brands Hatch, Ranson aims to get closer to the top-10 when the series heads into the regular season finale and then the double-points playoff rounds in Vallelunga and Zolder.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
