Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently expressed his belief that Formula 1 stars Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo could achieve success if they transitioned to NASCAR racing. In an interview with Hard Rock Bet, Earnhardt Jr., a Hall of Famer and owner of JR Motorsports, discussed the potential for current F1 drivers to adapt to stock car racing, highlighting why Verstappen and Ricciardo stand out as promising candidates.
Earnhardt Jr. explained that NASCAR cars have evolved significantly over the last two decades, improving the chances for F1 drivers to make a competitive switch. He said,
“I mean, I would love to see Max Verstappen give it a try. He’s incredible and I think his curiosity, his work ethic, I think all of that would play a great role in allowing him to be successful… Plus, our cars have changed a lot… our cars aren’t the stock cars from 10, 20 years ago, and so I think the opportunity for an F1 guy to have success is much better today than it was 20 years ago.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner.
Max Verstappen’s Future Plans Lean Toward Endurance and GT Racing
Despite Earnhardt Jr.’s invitation, Max Verstappen has openly stated he has no intentions to pursue NASCAR, even on road courses. His focus after Formula 1 is aimed at endurance and GT racing disciplines, demonstrated by his acquisition of a GT3 license in 2025. Verstappen is targeting participation in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours and has shared interest in the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category as well as the GT World Challenge and the 24 Hours of Spa events.
While Verstappen enjoys rally cars at a hobby level, he has ruled out a shift toward rallies, IndyCar, or NASCAR, reinforcing his commitment to endurance formats in his post-F1 career.
Ricciardo’s Potential NASCAR Move Remains Under Consideration
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also highlighted Daniel Ricciardo as a strong candidate for NASCAR, following his exit from Formula 1.
“I was hoping that Daniel Ricciardo would come to NASCAR after his decision to leave Formula 1, and that may still happen. Daniel’s still relatively young.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer.
Ricciardo famously drove Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2021, performing laps and celebratory burnouts to fans’ delight. Since leaving F1 in 2024, Ricciardo has taken on an ambassador role with Ford and shown interest in competing at landmark NASCAR events such as Daytona, indicating his openness to stock car racing opportunities.
Earnhardt Jr.’s Longstanding Interest in F1 Drivers Joining NASCAR
This curiosity to see Formula 1 drivers in NASCAR dates back to attempts to attract seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher to stock cars, which never materialized due to Schumacher’s disinterest. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ongoing admiration for potential crossovers underscores a broader interest in blending talent from different motorsport disciplines.
Comparing Verstappen’s Racing Style to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s Determination
During the interview, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his impressions of Max Verstappen’s driving after attending the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. He drew parallels between Verstappen’s tenacity and that of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Reflecting on memorable racing moments, Earnhardt Jr. remarked,
“I wouldn’t say it’s a specific move, but I like to go back and watch the 1987 All-Star Race that my dad won. I like to watch that because my dad didn’t have the best car that day, but his almost stubbornness and refusal to lose… I don’t know that I can honestly say I see that in a lot of drivers, or have seen that in other drivers in the past. He just wouldn’t concede.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer.
He added how Verstappen exhibited a similar mindset during the Miami race weekend:
“I saw a flash of that, actually, a reminder of that from Max Verstappen at Miami last year. I went to the F1 race for the first time. The McLarens were faster, much faster, but he had the track position in the middle of the race, and he knew that eventually they were probably going to get by him, but how he made that as hard as possible was really admirable… I really appreciate that in a driver.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Ongoing Interest and Future Possibilities in NASCAR
Although Max Verstappen’s move to NASCAR appears unlikely in the near term, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s encouragement shines a spotlight on F1 talent as a valuable resource for the stock car community. With Ricciardo showing some openness and Verstappen’s skills widely respected, NASCAR fans and stakeholders remain hopeful about future crossovers as motorsports continue evolving.
