Without a doubt, NASCAR and Formula 1 round up the top two spots in motorsport. Both fast-paced sports embody the spirit of racing and competitiveness and have affected the global stage. Despite both sports fans sharing a history of banter and bad blood, the professional drivers from each field have always been rather respectful. Although each sport is unique and has its regulations, the prospect of seeing more and more F1 drivers in NASCAR always excites us. Bubba Wallace is one such driver who, just like us fans, wants to see more of an F1 driver in a stock car.
NASCAR has also been a lucrative option for long for F1 drivers. Having seen F1 champions like Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button in the pits, followers of NASCAR are no strangers to experience that.
Bubba Wallace has only one answer when asked to choose a driver for #76
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Attending a Toyota luncheon for the upcoming race at Sonoma this weekend was the Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing duo of Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. They were also accompanied by Xfinity driver for Sam Hunt Racing, Kaz Grala. As the event went on, NASCAR news media house Frontstretch reporter Danny Peters enquired about the opinion of the 23XI pair on a replacement in the third car, #76.
“For the 23XI guys, who else other big names would you like to see in the #67 car? You can have anyone you want.”?Bubba’s response to the question was pretty straight and simple. Sorting his priorities for Hamilton, Bubba replied with composure, “Lewis”. Reddick entirely agrees with the opinion as he rests his case as well. It seems Lewis is loved a lot in NASCAR.
Reddick then twists the bottle toward an unprepared Kaz, who has an awkward moment. On being jumped with the question, Kaz says, “I was a lot less prepared for that question.” Reddick then playfully makes a request to see the part-time Craftsman Truck Series and former Richard Childress Racing driver in the #76. “I would like to see Kaz.”
Bubba’s straightforward answer only underlines Lewis Hamilton‘s influence as a global superstar. A star that transcends the boundaries of the field of expertise definitely.
Lewis Hamilton’s long-time admiration for NASCAR
Hamilton has been involved in NASCAR many times. From attending Jeff Gordon‘s farewell race to experimenting at Watkins Glen, he knows a thing or two about the feel of a stock car. Last month, before the Miami Grand Prix, Lewis reiterated his interest in NASCAR in a press conference. Talking about his former experience with Tony Stewart and him taking a taste of each other’s machines, he says.
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“I did a car swap with Tony Stewart years ago, which was fun, I?d love to try it at some stage. It?s not a dream for me to go race another series, but I am an admirer. I?m a fan of racing and other sports. So I would like to try it.”
But then he comes back to the current situation and emphasizes his attention to Formula 1 saying, “It?s not a dream for me to go and race in another series, but I am an admirer and a fan of racing and other sports, so I always like to try.”
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Lewis has also expressed his interest previously in trying his hand at future ventures in motorsport. If the event does actually come true, Hamilton will join some former champions to transition to NASCAR like Button and Raikkonen.
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