Ever since the introduction of the Next Gen race car, NASCAR has become an open platform for all racers with different backgrounds. It was just hard to see the likes of Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton compete in a NASCAR machine. But, ever since the introduction of this new car, Kimi Räikkönen and Shane van Gisbergen have made competitive starts. The Kiwi driver, in fact, is now a full-time driver with Trackhouse Racing.

Most of the silly season drama and rumors were concluded with most drivers securing their rides for 2025. But with the Daytona 500 on the horizon, the rumor mills have started to work overtime again, linking international race car drivers to NASCAR. 4-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves has announced his participation in the Great American Race. And it looks like former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is also now linked with a marquee NASCAR event.

Could Daniel Ricciardo compete in the Daytona 500 with Dale Jr.’s JR Motorsports?

Well, this whole saga started with JR Motorsports teasing an announcement regarding their Daytona 500 plans. “JR Motorsports says it has a Daytona-related announcement coming tomorrow afternoon, suggesting the team may be preparing to be part of the entry for next month’s Daytona 500.” Adam Stern from Sports Business Journal shared this update on X. Dale Jr. fans who have been yearning to see JRM compete at the Cup level and that might be coming true this year.

Although it’s hard to speculate or guess which Xfinity Series driver from JRM could feature at the big event, fans are linking Daniel Ricciardo with this project. “Are you ready for some Daniel Ricciardo with JR Motorsports on Daytona 500? No? Neither me.” Well, this isn’t the first time the former Red Bull star driver has been linked with a move to NASCAR. He has been a fan of stock car racing and Dale Earnhardt in particular.

Ricciardo even drove Intimidator’s vintage car, the 1984 No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo, in 2021 ahead of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. His F1 racing career seems to be clouded at the moment despite the links with the new Cadillac F1 team. This is why a move to NASCAR and JRM could very well be on the cards. FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass saw this move coming before anyone else, as he predicted Ricciardo to make his NASCAR debut soon.

“Daniel Ricciardo comes to NASCAR in more than just a one-off move. Riccardo currently is unemployed, and his fandom of NASCAR is well-documented… 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.” Pockrass mentioned this in the 25 Bold Predictions for 2025.

After his exit from the VISA Cash App RB Team, Daniel Ricciardo has few prospects in F1. Perhaps a move to NASCAR would be the fresh start he needs. He’s no stranger to the American audience, having grown popular among them after his Drive to Survive appearance on Netflix. However, to set a very realistic tone for a possible NASCAR future, Ricciardo could actually end up racing with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. A few years ago, he confirmed his interest in the sport, albeit mentioning he’d like to start in the lower series instead of directly in the Cup Series. He elaborated, “Yeah, maybe at a lower level, yes, just to kind of dip my toe in the water, but like if someone offered me, “Do you want to race NASCAR this weekend on an oval?” I’d be like, “No, I’ll walk before I can run.”

Speaking of rumors and speculations, it has to be noted that Martin Truex Jr. hasn’t also confirmed his Daytona 500 entry with a team. Could the former JGR star link up with his old pal and try to win the only elusive prize of his NASCAR journey?

Martin Truex Jr. could partner up with Dale Jr. for the Daytona 500

After hanging up his boots from competitive racing, MTJ confirmed that he will be back to compete on a partial schedule in 2025, starting with the Daytona 500. His teammate Denny Hamlin offered him a ride at 23XI Racing, but the veteran driver declined the request, stating JGR has something in store for him. Call it coincidence or just speculation, but with JRM about to reveal plans for their Daytona 500 race, fans are now connecting dots.

“#NASCAR : @JRMotorsports co-owners @DaleJr and @EarnhardtKelley will be joined by two special guests for a 2025 DAYTONA Announcement on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET.” This update by Jospeh Srigley on X further sparked the rumors about a link-up between Dale Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. MTJ started off his Cup Series career with DEI, driving the No. 1 Chevy. So, you see why the fans are trying to read between the lines and are hoping for the dream scenario.

What are your thoughts on these potential links? Who among Daniel Ricciardo or Truex Jr. do you think will link up with JRM?