Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wants Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo to ‘Give NASCAR a Try’

One of the goals NASCAR had when introducing the Next-Gen cars in 2022 was to make the cars more friendly for international audience as well racers that have plans to race in the premier stock car racing series. The likes of Shane van Gisbergen, F1 legends Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button came into the sport because of the change.

Recently Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. was asked about current racers from other divisions he wants to see in the Next-Gen car. The first name in his mind was four times F1 champion Max Verstappen, who has previously rejected offers from NASCAR as well as IndyCar. He believes the work ethic and skills of the Dutchman will help him be successful in the sport.

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.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via motorsport.com.

Further talking about the point, he highlighted how the independent rear suspension and the transaxle diffuser made the current Cup car entirely different from the cars of the past, making it easier for open wheel racers to be successful. In the same conversation he also highlighted how he always though ex-Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo race in the Cup series after he announced the F1 retirement, considering he is relatively young despite being in retirement.

Plus, our cars have changed a lot. Our cars have independent rear suspension, the transaxle diffuser… 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… 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. added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. insists drivers are under more pressure than team owners

In a separate conversation, the Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on the different level of pressure a NASCAR racer and team owner is in. He pointed out that the drivers often get embarrassed and humiliated in the race days, putting them under massive amount pressure.

If you’re going to be the driver, you have got to be willing to take getting your teeth kicked in, being embarrassed, humiliated, but also if you’re going to take the celebrations and the accolades and the credit for when you win, you’re absolutely going to get it when you don’t.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Hard Rock Bet.

In the case of a team owner, weekly performance isn’t their primary concern as the person is judged over the business culture within the team and the long-term success. They are always judged over their long-term success.

As an owner, you don’t have to worry so much about the week-to-week performance. I think as an owner, you’re really judged on the culture of your business. You’re judged on the long-term success, you’re judged on a bigger picture, not week to week, lap to lap.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

The comments from the JR Motorsports co-owner in point, and it comes from his experience of leading his second division team to multiple championship. At the end of the team owners can make mistakes and easily get over it, unlike drivers whose one mistake might ruin their whole career.

Also Read: Kyle Busch Insists He ‘Doesn’t Really Worry’ About Uncertainty Over RCR’s 2026 Potential

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