Racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Daniel Ricciardo in NASCAR
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. hopes Daniel Ricciardo will race in the series, citing the Australian's admiration for his father and modern cars that are now better suited for F1 drivers. He also named Max Verstappen as another dream crossover candidate.
NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly expressed his hope that recently retired F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo will consider a move to the American stock car series. The call comes as Earnhardt Jr. believes modern NASCAR vehicles are now more suited to drivers with a Formula 1 background than ever before.
Why it matters:
A high-profile crossover from F1 to NASCAR is a rare and major event in motorsport. Ricciardo's immense popularity and proven race-winning talent would bring significant global attention to the series. Furthermore, Earnhardt Jr.'s endorsement carries substantial weight in the NASCAR community, potentially opening doors and generating fan excitement for such a move.
The details:
- Earnhardt Jr., a 26-time Cup Series race winner, made the comments following Ricciardo's mid-2024 exit from Formula 1, stating he was "hoping that Daniel Ricciardo would come to NASCAR."
- He specifically cited the technical evolution of NASCAR's Next Gen cars, noting features like independent rear suspension and a transaxle diffuser make them more comparable to open-wheel machinery.
- A Personal Connection: Ricciardo's potential move is underscored by a deep personal admiration for the Earnhardt family. The Australian grew up a fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and raced with the number 3 in F1 as a tribute to the seven-time champion.
- This connection was highlighted in 2021 when Ricciardo got to drive Earnhardt Sr.'s iconic 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet at the Circuit of the Americas.
- Other F1 Interests: Earnhardt Jr. also named current F1 champion Max Verstappen as a driver he'd love to see try NASCAR, praising the Dutchman's incredible talent, curiosity, and work ethic.
What's next:
While Ricciardo has announced his retirement from motorsport and taken on an ambassador role with Ford Racing, Earnhardt Jr. believes the door isn't fully closed, noting "that may still happen" given Ricciardo is "still relatively young." The technical convergence of the cars and Ricciardo's existing fanbase in the U.S. create a compelling, though speculative, case for a future cameo or full-season effort.