KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 15-18 MAY WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s a quieter but still exciting weekend for Kiwi motorsport talent around the world, with New Zealand drivers and riders competing across NASCAR, Formula E, and Moto3 action in the United States, Europe, and Spain.
One of the headline events of the weekend is the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, where Shane van Gisbergen returns to oval racing in one of NASCAR’s biggest exhibition events of the season.
Over in Europe, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship heads to the streets of Monaco for Rounds 9 and 10 of the season at the famous Circuit de Monaco. Kiwi stars Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy will both be aiming for strong results around one of the most iconic circuits in world motorsport.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Cormac Buchanan continues his rookie Moto3 World Championship campaign at the Grand Prix of Catalonia from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The young Kiwi will once again take on one of the most fiercely competitive grids in motorcycle racing as the championship reaches Round 6 of the season.
From Dover and Monaco to Barcelona, Kiwi drivers and riders will once again fly the New Zealand flag on the international stage across another busy weekend of global motorsport action.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Dover International Speedway, Delaware.
- NZ Times:
- Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice: Saturday 7:00 AM
- Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge: Sunday 4:00 AM
- All-Star Race: Monday 5:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Fresh off a history-making weekend at Watkins Glen International, Shane van Gisbergen heads to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway full of momentum.
The Kiwi star dominated the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen to secure another stunning victory, continuing his incredible rise in NASCAR and further cementing himself as one of NASCAR’s top road course racers.
Van Gisbergen also impressed across his triple-duty schedule, finishing third in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race before adding an eighth-place finish in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.
➡️Craftsman Truck Series Watkins Glen Recap HERE
➡️O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Watkins Glen Recap HERE
➡️Cup Series Watkins Glen Recap HERE
Now attention turns to Dover and the prestigious non-points All-Star Race, where van Gisbergen will tackle the challenging “Monster Mile” oval as he continues building experience on NASCAR’s high-speed banked circuits.
After another standout weekend in the United States, the Kiwi will once again be one to watch on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages.
Mitch Evans & Nick Cassidy | Formula E
- Where? Circuit De Monaco, Monaco.
- NZ Times:
- Round 9
- Free Practice 1: Saturday 5:30 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 7:10 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 8:40 PM
- Race: Sunday 1:05 AM
- Round 10
- Free Practice 3: Sunday 6:30 PM
- Qualifying: Sunday 8:40 PM
- Race: Monday 1:05 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Fresh off a successful weekend in Berlin, Kiwi Formula E stars Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy head to the famous streets of Monaco for Rounds 9 and 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The New Zealand duo both featured heavily during the Berlin E-Prix double-header, with Cassidy returning to the podium in Round 7 after a composed drive to second place. The Citreon Racing driver managed the tactical race superbly, staying inside the lead fight throughout before securing his first podium since Mexico City.
Evans also impressed in Round 7, charging through the field to finish sixth and collect valuable championship points in a race heavily shaped by strategy and energy management.
➡️Round 7 Berlin E-Prix Recap HERE
➡️Round 8 Berlin E-Prix Recap HERE
Round 8 belonged to Evans, with the Jaguar TCS Racing driver producing one of the drives of the season to storm from 17th on the grid to victory. The win marked Evans’ second victory of the year and the 16th of his Formula E career, extending his record as the category’s most successful race winner.
Cassidy’s second race in Berlin proved far more difficult. After briefly leading from third on the grid, contact in two separate incidents ultimately ended his race early, resulting in front wing damage and a late retirement.
Now the focus shifts to Monaco, where both Kiwis will look to continue their push toward the championship fight on one of motorsport’s most iconic street circuits.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 11:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 6:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 10:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Cormac Buchanan heads to the Grand Prix of Catalonia this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya looking to build on the strong speed he showed during an up-and-down weekend at the iconic Le Mans circuit in France.
The Southland teenager was left disappointed after crashing out of the Moto3 race in difficult wet conditions in France, with 14 riders caught out during the chaotic race.
While the result was frustrating, Buchanan showed encouraging pace throughout the weekend and continued to make progress during his rookie Moto3 season. He consistently ran close to the front across practice and qualifying, earning a spot in Q2 before qualifying 15th on the grid.
The Kiwi felt Le Mans was a missed opportunity after feeling comfortable in the wet conditions, but he remained positive about the step forward made across the weekend.
➡️Grand Prix of France Recap HERE
Now the focus shifts to Barcelona and another important weekend for Buchanan as he continues chasing his first big Moto3 result on the world stage.
Header Image: Trackhouse Racing/NASCAR
