Max Verstappen vs Kyle Larson: Could a NASCAR Showdown Be Coming?
Last year, Kyle Larson stirred major controversy in motorsports after claiming in an interview with FloRacing that he believes he’s a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen. He boldly stated, “There’s no way [Verstappen] can get into a Sprint Car and win the Knoxville Nationals. There’s no way he can win the Chili Bowl. There’s no way he can go win a Cup race at Bristol.” While he admitted he couldn’t win the Monaco Grand Prix, Larson felt NASCAR’s unique demands gave him the edge.
.@DaleJr with Max Verstappen at Miami just before F1’s Miami Grand Prix (via u/Altracing34) https://t.co/JfmRg6IxSP #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YcYKQFEdVK
— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) May 5, 2025
Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 World Champion, didn’t take the bait. He responded calmly, suggesting every driver excels in their own way. While he acknowledged that dirt racing might not be his strength, Verstappen said good drivers can adapt quickly. This exchange sparked intense debate among fans over whether Verstappen could succeed outside of Formula 1.
The conversation picked up steam again at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix when Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR icon, made his first appearance at an F1 event. He and his wife Amy were guests of Red Bull Racing and Hard Rock Bet. Dale Jr. was vocal about his admiration for Verstappen, previously praising the Dutch driver’s dominance despite critics calling F1 boring due to his continued success.
While enjoying the spectacle of F1’s glitzy Miami event, a photo of Verstappen and Dale Jr. together quickly went viral, fueling fan speculation about a potential crossover. Fans immediately imagined Verstappen joining JR Motorsports, possibly in the No. 8 car, and setting the stage for a historic NASCAR challenge.
This buzz isn’t unfounded. JR Motorsports has long shown interest in entering the NASCAR Cup Series. With Red Bull’s global presence and Verstappen’s stardom, fans believe such a collaboration isn’t out of the question. Verstappen’s dominance in F1—winning 22 out of 26 races at one point—has left fans wondering if he’s ready for a new challenge, perhaps on NASCAR’s ovals.
Adding to the mix are other F1 stars interested in NASCAR. Daniel Ricciardo, known for his admiration of Dale Earnhardt Sr., once drove Dale Sr.’s iconic No. 3 car and could be a legitimate crossover candidate. Oscar Piastri, another young F1 talent, has also expressed interest in stock car racing. According to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, Piastri has shown enthusiasm about NASCAR and could be open to a future project alongside Larson.
While nothing has been confirmed, the NASCAR-F1 crossover dream is gaining traction. Social media exploded with wild theories, including one post claiming JR Motorsports might join forces with Honda, Red Bull, Verstappen, and even Shane van Gisbergen (SVG). Though Verstappen once admitted NASCAR cars looked difficult to control, the seeds of speculation are deeply planted.
Fans are calling for more than just rumors. Some want to see Verstappen appear on Dale Jr.’s podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, for an in-depth conversation, hoping to get insight into whether the F1 star might seriously consider a stock car career.
The debate continues to evolve. Is Larson right that Verstappen can’t conquer NASCAR? Or would Max prove everyone wrong and adapt like a true motorsports legend? While Verstappen remains committed to F1 for now, recent dissatisfaction with Red Bull’s performance has led some to believe a change could be on the horizon. Could NASCAR be that next chapter?
At this point, everything is speculation—but a single weekend in Miami may have sparked something much bigger. The idea of Verstappen, Ricciardo, or Piastri switching codes no longer feels so far-fetched. Whether it happens or not, the conversation has already changed the narrative in both racing worlds.