What NASCAR drivers (other than JPM) would have the best chance of succeeding in F1?

[615 Vol]

The Montoya thread got me thinking about this question. What current NASCAR drivers would have the best chance of succeeding in F1 (excluding Montoya and Scott Speed)?

I left off Montoya and Speed to find out more of who would adapt to F1 rather than having them as the answer because they've been there before.

I would go with Allmendinger since he came from the former CART series then Stewart, Gordon and Kyle Busch would be my top guys.

 

[jhen713]

I would say Stewart, both Gordons, and Allmendinger. Maybe even Kasey Kahne.

 

[VOLNBAMA]

Gordon and Stewart fo sho

 

[doozer]

all would meet with similar success of Michael Andretti.

Gordon actually once drove Montoya's car at Indianapolis. JPM drove Gordon's car around the US Grand Prix course. Gordon was lapping fast enough to qualify at the back of the field. if anybody had chance, it was him. now, neither he nor Stewart would have much luck.

 

[ptclaus98]

Don't just go with the guys that have had success road racing. I think Kahne and Carl Edwards, along with JJ would do better than AJ, Stewart and Gordon. I mean, Tony would be great if he were 50 pounds smaller. Edwards would be great because he's aggressive, and with him there's and us vs. them mentality, and he along with Kahne have that great car control a la Stewart. Jimmie is self explanatory really. If AJ could cut it, he'd have stuck around long enough to do so. I've heard from Marshall Pruett that his technical skills leave something to be desired, and that's an instant red flag. Gordon's just too old. Today's F1 is a young man's game, where you need your reactions to be as quick as your brain, sometimes even faster. Gordon would be great in a sportscar, though.

 

[tidwell]

Edwards has never struck me as much of a road racer, and neither had Kahne for that matter before he up and won at Sonoma this year.

J. Gordon & Tony Stewart have been far and away the best road racers in NASCAR in the last 15 years or so. They're probably too old to catch on in F1 now, but if that had been their goal early in their careers I think they could've made it.

I believe Kyle Busch could drive anything well, and I was really looking forward to him turning some laps on Toyota's F1 car last year before that got nixed.

 

[615 Vol]

To flip the question, I wonder how some of the F1 guys would fair in NASCAR? I doubt they would be too thrilled about driving something that heavy that drives that bad compared to what they're used to.

 

[volinbham]

Michael Andretti could have been successful but there was bad team chemistry and he made it worse by trying to live in the U.S. and flying over for events and practice.

I don't know enough of the background of current NASCAR guys but those that had motorcross experience might fare better. Any that are used to changing directions quickly and dealing with high revving explosive power bands would be my bet.

 

[rbroyles]

Michael Andretti could have been successful but there was bad team chemistry and he made it worse by trying to live in the U.S. and flying over for events and practice.

I don't know enough of the background of current NASCAR guys but those that had motorcross experience might fare better. Any that are used to changing directions quickly and dealing with high revving explosive power bands would be my bet.

About the only one I know with MX experience is J. Johnson. The question is who would have the best chance, not who would make it. In addition to Johnson, I would say both the Busch bros, Stewart, Allmendinger, and possibly Greg Biffle.

 

[timmy]

To flip the question, I wonder how some of the F1 guys would fair in NASCAR? I doubt they would be too thrilled about driving something that heavy that drives that bad compared to what they're used to.

Depends on if they were with a top team. F1 drivers have the talent, they just would need the muscle.