NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr names two F1 drivers he'd love to see in Cup Series

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr has named the two F1 stars he would LOVE to see in Cup Series action.

Stars transitioning from road courses to Stateside ovals has happened before with Colombian superstar Juan Pablo Montoya being the most recent successful example.

US superstar Mario Andretti of course did things the other way around, winning a Daytona 500 in 1967 before transitioning to F1.

If NASCAR does want to boost its appeal overseas, then bringing in talent from its biggest rival series globally would be a nice start. It's now almost three years since Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button raced in Cup Series action at COTA in 2023.

Verstappen and Ricciardo to NASCAR?

Earnhardt Jr pinpointed the pair of stars he thinks would be NASCAR sensations - and they are Red Bull greats past and present, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

Verstappen is arguably the finest driver in F1 right now despite having his streak of consecutive world titles ended at four in 2025. Right now the 28-year-old Dutchman is an impossible dream for NASCAR, but that doesn't mean Dale Jr cannot dream.

"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," he told Hard Rock Bet.

"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."

Ricciardo meanwhile appears to be a much more legitimate target for NASCAR - the 36-year-old Australian is now retired from F1.

Dale Jr admitted: "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 Jr on his F1 hero and 'incredible years'

Earnhardt Jr also spoke about an F1 man who never made the switch to NASCAR, but who remains his greatest idol (outside of his dad, the great Dale Earnhardt).

"I used to watch F1 very heavily back when Michael Schumacher was battling with Mika Häkkinen and those guys, I mean, those were incredible years. I had always wished for the opportunity to hear what Michael Schumacher thought about driving a stock car.

"I only wanted him to be able to get in the car, run a couple hours, and I always thought Michael was the greatest race car driver that I ever knew in my life with everything that he accomplished, and how good he was, and I’m like, you know Dale Earnhardt’s my hero, but Michael Schumacher was the man.

"Unfortunately, I never got to really understand what he might think about a stock car, but I guess what I’m trying to say is that I get excited when drivers from different disciplines from F1, or any car whatever it may be, come over and drive our stuff, because I’m anxious to hear what they say.

"I have so much admiration for their ability and their disciplines. I know what we’re doing is so different, and it’s fun to hear their opinions and point of view."