NASCAR insider's bold prediction foresees F1 star Daniel Ricciardo switching to stock cars

F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore - Source: Getty
Daniel Ricciardo walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore - Source: Getty

Fox Sports' journalist Bob Pockrass has suggested that former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo joining NASCAR would be a good call for him and for the sport. The Australian driver, who has been racing in Formula 1 since his debut in 2011 is currently without a seat for the 2025 season, which Pockrass says gives him the opportunity to enter the world of stock car racing.

Pockrass, when asked about his prediction for the world of sports in 2025, suggested the former Red Bull driver joining a team on the NASCAR grid could be a possiblity this year. While he maintains that Ricciardo has dispelled any rumours of him racing in the series, Pockrass has stated that the Aussie's involvement in the sport will be beneficial to the fans, along with there being pre-existing interest in the driver from the grid. He said (via Fox Sports):

"Daniel Ricciardo comes to NASCAR in more than just a one-off move. Ricciardo currently is unemployed and his fandom of NASCAR is well-documented. Yeah, for the most part he has poured cold water on any significant NASCAR chatter. But to see his smile driving a Dale Earnhardt Sr. vintage car a few years ago showed just how much he loves the sport. Plus there would be teams and sponsors that want him racing stock cars. And that's not to mention the fans, who would eat it up. If NASCAR can find a way to get this done, it should do it."

The 35-year-old has dipped his toe into the world of stock car racing, when he drove legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s 1984 Monte Carlo Chevrolet at the US Grand Prix in 2021.

While NASCAR might find use of Daniel Ricciardo, he has had a different take on the matter. Speaking in an interview last year, the driver said (via Motorsport.com):

"I grew up a fan of NASCAR. I'd like to drive a NASCAR, I'd love to drive around Daytona for example. But would I like to compete? Yes and no,”

Citing his lack of stock car racing roots, he continued:

“I know it's not what I grew up doing and I'll probably get smoked. [So] I don't know if I need that [but] I would love to experience it.”

Daniel Ricciardo lost his F1 seat in the middle of the 2024 season when he was driving for Visa Cash App RB. The driver was replaced by Liam Lawson after his, so far, final race in the sport at the Singapore GP in September last year.


Daniel Ricciardo talks about other motorsports he'd like to experience

RB driver Daniel Ricciardo (3) during the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. - Source: Imagn
RB driver Daniel Ricciardo (3) during the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. - Source: Imagn

Speaking in an interview with Tourism Western Australia last year, before his exit from Formula 1, Ricciardo talked about other motorsports he'd be interested in experiencing including MotoGP, the motorcycle racing competition and Supercars Championship -- an Australia and New Zealand-based touring car racing competition featuring V8 supercars.

Speaking about the two sports, Ricciardo said (via Motorsport.com):

"I love motorbikes ... but I would be very, very slow and probably horrendous."

In regards to racing in the competition based out of his home country, he said:

"Obviously it’s the V8 that do the race there, but you know there's the 12 hour and stuff so maybe that's one I could compete in. If a V8 team said 'hey, do you want to do a few laps around Bathurst, no pressure, just to experience it,' then I'll definitely take that up."

Daniel Ricciardo leaves Formula 1 having scored 8 wins, 32 podiums, and has achieved a third place finish in the standings twice, in 2014 and 2016.

Quick Links

Edited by Luke Koshi
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications