Dale Earnhardt Jr. guest Mario Andretti reveals plans to enter NASCAR after failed F1 bid

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s invitee Mario Andretti has let loose about his bid to enter the pinnacle of stock car racing- NASCAR. Though the Andretti family has a strong footing in motorsports like the CARS Tour and the IndyCar series, they failed to get F1's nod for fielding the 11th team from 2025 onwards. Later, Mario hinted at his interest to foray into NASCAR.

Mario Andretti is renowned for being one of the three drivers to have clinched a race win in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and the World Sportscar Championship by the FIA. His son Michael followed in his father's footsteps and became one of the most successful drivers in the American open-wheel racing discipline.

Since Michael retired from the sport, he has owned Andretti Autosport. The company has several teams across the IndyCar series, Formula E, IMSA, and Australian Supercars Championship, among other series.

Andretti Autosport eyed to lock two F1 seats, but after a six-month review, officials rejected their bid for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. However, the proposal could be revisited if Andretti's engine partner General Motors can birth an engine for the 2028 season.

Witnessing Michael carrying his family's legacy in motorsports by getting involved in several series, Mario Andretti highlighted his plan to Dale Earnhardt Jr. about entering NASCAR and making it another "home" in the former's motorsports world.

"With Michael being involved in every aspect of our sport, that gives me reason to find a home no matter where I go. Pretty soon, it's going to be a home even in Cup, and I hope I'm still alive for that," Mario said via Dirty Mo Media on YouTube (6.27).

When Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s father ghosted Mario Andretti's son after "begging" to join the NASCAR team DEI

Michael Andretti is a renowned figure in IndyCar racing with 42 victories to his name. During 1987, a four-race IROC schedule saw Andretti and Dale Earnhardt Sr. lock horns on four occasions.

They first faced off in the opening race at the Daytona International Speedway, followed by the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The third dash commenced at the Michigan International Speedway and the finals at the Watkins Glen International.

According to Michael, Dale Earnhardt persuaded the former to join hands with Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) for the Xfinity Series. However, after an incident at the Michigan International Speedway, the 'Intimidator' ghosted Andretti and never talked about their partnership in motorsports since.

During a conversation with retired NASCAR legend Kenny Wallace, Andretti was asked about his interest in driving in NASCAR, following which the latter revealed how after the Lap 12 crash in Michigan, Dale Earnhardt ghosted him despite initially "begging" him to join DEI.

"There was a point where I was looking at it. I did IROC, I was running with Dale Earnhardt and Dale's all over me. He wanted me to drive for the Xfinity Series [for DEI]. He was begging me, 'You gotta try you gotta come you gotta run,'" Michael said via The Kenny Wallace Show on X.

"We were at Michigan [International Speedway], we both went into turn 3 and 4 side by side, we touched and he went into the wall and never talked to me after that," Andretti added.

Mario's grandson Marco Andretti has stinted in the Truck Series in 2023 with Gainbridge as the sponsor. The same company is one of the key backers of Andretti Autosports and their relationship could bring their NASCAR dream to fruition.