The auto racing track north of Saskatoon will host a major NASCAR event this July. The auto racing track north of Saskatoon will host a major NASCAR event this July. (Courtesy Auto Clearing Motor Speedway)

The provincial government on Tuesday announced it was pumping $75,000 into a stock car oval north of Saskatoon to help the speedway host a NASCAR event in July.

Upgrades to the Auto Clearing Motor Speedway will help the venue with its NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship.

In the release announcing the money, the province's tourism minister said the race will be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.

"The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race is a dream come true for stock car racing fans across Canada," Christine Tell said in the release. "I know the communities of Saskatoon and Martensville will be great hosts and make this event a historic and memorable success."

Speedway president Trent Seidel said in the release, "In hosting such an event we look forward to the national attention this province will receive as racing fans and visitors make their way to our wonderful province."

Auto racing has a long history in Saskatoon, dating back to the mid-1950s.

Enthusiasts with the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association have regularly hosted a busy race season and recently relocated their track to an area just north of the city.