Former F1 driver pinpoints what is stopping NASCAR from being successful internationally despite huge potential

Daniil Kvyat claims NASCAR, like Formula 1, could have a better reach if they improve their marketing strategy.

Former F1 driver pinpoints what is stopping NASCAR from being successful internationally despite huge potential

Daniil Kvyat, NASCAR (Credits: PlanetF1 and CBS Sports)

Former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat is one of the few who competed in both Formula 1 and NASCAR. The 29-year-old drives for Prema Racing in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. However, he was previously an F1 driver and the most successful Russian driver with three podium finishes. Kvyat made his NASCAR debut in 2022 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hence, he has experienced both worlds. 

In an episode of the Track Limits podcast on YouTube, Kvyat discussed racing. He spoke about his career as a motorsports driver, from his Toro Rosso/Red Bull Racing era to NASCAR and Endurance Championships. Daniil Kvyat revealed that one of his dreams was to try NASCAR, and he raced against some of the best stock car drivers in the world. He went on to talk about one of America’s largest sports and pinpointed how NASCAR can improve as they have the potential. 

YouTube video

Daniil Kvyat praised NASCAR for being an incredible sport with legendary racing. However, he feels they can step up their game like Formula 1. Kvyat told Track Limits, “Marketing-wise, maybe they have to improve now because F1 has been getting a huge step. But I think they have the potential now some extra fun guys are coming more and more back, and they need to use this opportunity.” 

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Daniil Kvyat discussed the difference between F1 and NASCAR

Daniil Kvyat (Credits: WTF1)
Daniil Kvyat (Credits: WTF1)

Kvyat claims marketing would help the stock car racing series. The former Red Bull driver expressed his love for NASCAR and said, “Personally, I really enjoyed driving. It was one of the coolest experiences I had in a racing car. It’s the sound of the American Muscles, it was cool, it was exactly how I expected it to be.” 

Daniil Kvyat discussed the difference between the two series. He claimed that F1 has a lot of horsepower and downforce, but NASCAR is the opposite. Kvyat confessed that he had fun driving heavier cars that do not have plenty of downforce but have incredible horsepower. He did not hide his love for the sport. Kvyat wants NASCAR to reach a Formula 1 level of popularity. Hence, he believes marketing could be the solution to propel NASCAR forward. 

It is no secret that F1 has become an expert in marketing. Many celebrities attend the Grand Prix events and are often spotted in the paddock. Hollywood stars make an appearance in the F1 races. However, the same cannot be said for NASCAR despite being an American sport. F1’s annual revenue is over $2.57 billion, and NASCAR’s is $100 million. It could also be because F1 is a global sport and NASCAR is not.

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