Daniel Ricciardo Continues to Flirt With NASCAR 2 Years After Taking Dale Earnhardt’s Championship Winner for a Spin

Daniel Ricciardo loves to stir the pot of entertainment for fans with his other sporting interests beyond F1. Besides being an NFL fanboy over the past few years, Ricciardo has often expressed his adoration for NASCAR too. Two years ago, he had an unforgettable experience of driving Dale Earnhardt‘s iconic 1984 NASCAR championship-winning car. Apparently, the Aussie has rekindled his fascination with the stock car racing world during the much anticipated Las Vegas GP.

This time, the talks are around a helmet trade with Conor Daly at F1’s return to Sin City. This adds a new chapter to the Honey Badger’s ongoing liking with the world of American stock car racing.

Daniel Ricciardo rekindles his fascination with NASCAR after the Las Vegas Grand Prix

In October 2021, Daniel Ricciardo test-drove Dale Earnhardt’s 1984 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the Circuit of the Americas. It was a result of a bet between McLaren boss Zak Brown and the Honey Badger, triggered by the Aussie’s victory at Monza, which got him this unique experience. Racing with the number 3 as a tribute to Dale Earnhardt, Ricciardo’s love affair with NASCAR had a new twist in Las Vegas.

The AlphaTauri driver traded helmets with Conor Daly, a versatile driver who competes in IndyCar and occasionally in NASCAR. The Instagram post shared by Daly showcased the camaraderie between the two drivers and hinted at the growing strength of their motorsport bond.

The post shared by Daly read, “The collection grows a great deal stronger after this weekend! I consider @danielricciardo to be one of the all-around good dudes of the sport. Countless good times have been had over the years. Cheers my friend 🍻 #f1 #lasvegasgp #helmet #trade #indycar.” This exchange is a perfect example of the shared passion and mutual respect between drivers from different racing disciplines.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, a much-anticipated event on the F1 calendar, faced criticism from various quarters, including the 2023 driver’s championship winner, Max Verstappen. However, the Honey Badger takes his own dig at his former Red Bull teammate.

READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo Opposes Toto Wolff To Critically Question F1’s Grave Las Vegas GP Blunder

Daniel Ricciardo fires subtle shots at the rebellious Dutchman

Throughout the race weekend, the 26-year-old Red Bull star voiced dissent about the track’s layout and scrutinized the driver’s ceremony. He also went as far as painting the event to be 1% sporting and 99% entertainment.

However, amidst Max Verstappen’s rebellious stance, his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo stepped into the fray. The Honey Badger, known for his laid-back approach, subtly challenged the dissenting voices. He suggested that some drivers, who initially enjoyed the event, are now attempting to rebel by expressing criticism.

“A few drivers have been a little bit ‘whatever’ about it.” the Aussie was quoted by the NY Post. “I think they’re just trying to rebel. Deep down they really like it, they just don’t want to admit it.” In a playful jab, he alluded to a certain driver with a “really long first name,” leaving fans to connect the dots.

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So, what are your thoughts on Daniel Ricciardo’s continued interest in NASCAR? Do you agree with his take on the rebel behavior in F1?