NASCAR chiefs Steve O’Donnell and John Probst are due to be among a group of VIP guests at this weekend’s OTR SuperSprint at the new Bend Motorsport Park circuit.

O’Donnell, the popular American stock car racing category’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, and Probst, its vice president of innovation and racing development, are due to make a rare visit to Australia.

The reason for the trip remains unclear at this stage although Speedcafe.com understands the pair have been in contact with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) and Supercars and an itinerary has been organised.

The duo are thought to be the highest-ranking NASCAR officials to visit Australia since the category hosted an exhibition race at Calder Park in 1988.

O’Donnell has oversight of all operations at NASCAR’s research & development centre and played a significant role in the introduction of the Gen 6 car.

It is not the first international racing visit for O’Donnell, who attended the NASCAR-themed American Speedfest event at Brands Hatch in 2015.

Probst joined NASCAR in 2016 after over two decades of industry experience, including stints with Ford Motor Company, Red Bull Racing (NASCAR team) and Chip Ganassi Racing.

The inaugural OTR SuperSprint is due to begin on Friday.