via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal – October 23, 2020 AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat wearing a face mask ahead of practice FIA/Handout via REUTERS
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal – October 23, 2020 AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat wearing a face mask ahead of practice FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Recently, news broke that former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat was making his NASCAR Cup Series debut. In light of this, NASCAR truck driver and pit reporter Parker Kligerman spoke about the Russian’s debut. According to him, when F1 drivers leave that series, they generally opt to race in NASCAR or IndyCar. Prime examples are Jacques Villeneuve, Scott Speed, Takuma Sato, and Romain Grosjean, among many others.
When @F1 drivers cant drive F1, they want to drive @IndyCar or @NASCAR
All the new F1 fans should follow their lead and watch NASCAR & Indycar when they cant watch F1 https://t.co/5EHqLfUhAo
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) July 26, 2022
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Now, the latest F1 entity to join the club is ex-Red Bull driver Kvyat. However, he is not the only one, because Kimi Raikkonen is expected to make his debut for Trackhouse Racing at Watkins Glen. Kligerman admitted that just like how drivers are making the transition to NASCAR and IndyCar, the fans must to the same.
READ MORE: What is the Lucky Dog Rule in NASCAR Racing?
Why did the NASCAR Truck driver say this?
As per the 31-year-old’s logic, there may be times when there is no F1 during a particular weekend. Case in point, after the coming weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, there is a summer break for the drivers and teams. After Hungary, there is no F1 race until 28th August at the Belgian Grand Prix.
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Naturally, fans need something to satiate their motorsport fill for the coming four weeks. So, Kligerman was hoping that NASCAR or IndyCar would be willing to fill the void.
via Getty
TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 14: Parker Kligerman, driver of the #75 Food Country USA/Lopez Wealth Mgmt Toyota, poses with the winner’s decal on his truck in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
After all, they are still racing series and fans enjoy them. Hopefully, drivers like Kvyat and a former F1 driver of Raikkonen’s caliber can draw a large F1 fanbase to the NASCAR scene. Obviously, it will be difficult, but who knows, maybe with time, they can grow to appreciate the stock car series.
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As for the series itself, the Truck Series has just entered the Playoff stage, with the Top 10 qualifying. So, over the next seven races, drivers will be eliminated unto a winner is crowned in the 2022 season. Later on, the Xfinity and Cup Series will host their own Playoff races.
