When Dale Earnhardt invited F1 legend Nigel Mansell to race in NASCAR

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt once invited 1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell to race in the NASCAR Cup Series. It is an intriguing story that highlights the mutual respect between top drivers and their shared passion for racing.

In 1993, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Earnhardt met with Mansell at Michigan International Speedway during their respective racing events. Earnhardt came to Michigan to compete in the International Race of Champions (IROC) series while Mansell was racing in the Marlboro 500 IndyCar event.

Earnhardt and Mansell had a long chat at that time, like old friends. During their meeting, “The Intimidator” extended an invitation to Mansell to try his hand at NASCAR.

Here’s what Dale Earnhardt said (via Los Angeles Times):

“Hey, Nigel, Why don’t you take another pay cut and come race with us next season?”

This meeting was significant not only because it brought two legends from different motorsport disciplines together but also because it showcased the mutual respect and camaraderie between top drivers across racing categories.

At that time, Dale Earnhardt was dominating NASCAR with numerous wins and championships. He was a key competitor in the series and had already established himself as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.

Nigel Mansell was a prominent figure in F1, known for his aggressive driving style and competitive spirit. He had just transitioned from F1, where he won the World Championship in 1992, to the IndyCar series in the United States. He achieved success in the IndyCar Series, becoming the first person to win the IndyCar Series championship in his debut season.

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Dale Earnhardt’s son reveals his natural gift

Dale Earnhardt, known as “The Intimidator,” is one of the most iconic figures in stock car racing. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is known for his fearless driving style and deep knowledge of the sport.

On the “The Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared an interesting story of his father that illustrated the exceptional eyesight of Dale Sr.

Remembering his father’s exceptional eyesight, Dale Jr. said:

“One of the things that I always really was impressed by was how well he tracked deer. There's been a couple of times where I was lucky enough to be with him in the woods, and I mean a speck, a tiny speck of blood, like 10 foot from the last speck of blood, and he could track it. He could see all that on the ground, which always was impressive to me.”