NASCAR Brasil will have an important novelty this weekend with the debut of the Autódromo Internacional de Mato Grosso, in Cuiabá (MT), on the category’s calendar. Between July 30 and August 1, the drivers will compete in the fifth stage of the season, which will have as its main attraction the Night Challenge, an unprecedented format with two races held on Saturday, at night.
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Among the competitors arriving prepared for the new challenge is Denis Navarro, a driver for Cavaleiro Sports since the team’s entry into NASCAR Brasil in 2026. The São Paulo native returns to the tracks seeking a strong performance in one of the most demanding stages of the championship.
The Mato Grosso circuit, with 4,450 meters in length and 13 turns, was developed to provide fierce battles and several overtaking opportunities. Quick adaptation to the layout will be one of the main factors for the drivers’ performance, especially on a track still unknown to most competitors.
Besides the novelty of the racetrack, the climate of Cuiabá will also be a challenging element. The characteristic heat of the capital of Mato Grosso, combined with the challenge of competing in two consecutive races on Saturday, will require physical preparation from the drivers and efficient strategies from the teams.
After showing good pace in the first stages of the season, including securing pole position in Cascavel, Denis Navarro sees the Cuiabá stage as an opportunity to seek an expressive result and return to the fight for the top positions.
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“It is a stage different from everything we have had so far. I already competed in the inaugural Stock Car race on the layout in 2025, which was also at night and was a very contested race, so whoever adapts faster will have an important advantage. The circuit is very interesting, with several overtaking points, and we will also have the challenge of night races. We worked a lot during this interval and I am confident that we can have a great weekend.”
With a consolidated career in Brazilian motorsport, Denis Navarro accumulates experience in South American Formula 3, Formula Renault, Brasileiro de Marcas, and Stock Car. The driver has also built a history of more than a decade among the country’s main teams, with podiums achieved in his career. In 2026, he started a new phase by joining the Cavaleiro Sports project in NASCAR Brasil.
The schedule for the fifth stage of NASCAR Brasil begins on Thursday (30) with shakedown, extra practice, and the first free practice. On Friday (31), the drivers participate in the second practice, qualifying, and the Sprint Race, a race that will define the pole position for the stage. The closing takes place on Saturday (1), with the two Night Challenge races, which promise to mark one of the most anticipated moments of the season.
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