NASCAR drivers crossing over into other formats has become less rare over time. However, only a handful have successfully made the jump between NASCAR and IndyCar — and almost none to Formula 1.
That mostly comes down to the fundamental differences between the formats. From how the cars are designed to how the races are structured, each series requires a different approach. Add Formula 1 to the mix, and it becomes an entirely different conversation. While a few Formula 1 drivers like Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti had NASCAR stints with some success, no NASCAR driver has managed to go the other way and break into F1.
On Kevin Harvick’s podcast, author and journalist Will Buxton revealed a surprising old plan involving NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon that could have changed that story.
Jeff Gordon and Dario Franchitti’s Formula 1 Plan
On Harvick’s “Happy Hour” podcast, Buxton shared details he uncovered while researching his book. During interviews with Gordon and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, he learned about a blockbuster plan that never materialized.
Before the FIA implemented the super license system in 2015, Gordon was preparing to run a season in IndyCar with Team KOOL Green. At the same time, Franchitti was gearing up to make his Formula 1 debut with BAR.
The idea was to eventually get both drivers into F1 under the BAR banner, with Gordon’s IndyCar run serving as a stepping stone toward his Formula 1 debut.
Buxton explained, “Imagine, right now, that would have been box office. And that would’ve broken F1 in America 20–30 years before it finally broke through ‘Drive to Survive’.”
Jeff Gordon and Dario Franchitti as F1 teammates??@IndyCarOnFOX's @wbuxtonofficial tells @KevinHarvick the story. pic.twitter.com/OaiHmxAB8Y
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) May 9, 2025
In the end, both Harvick and Buxton agreed — if Gordon and Franchitti had joined forces in Formula 1, it could’ve been a massive moment for the sport in the U.S.
Why Have NASCAR Drivers Not Found Success in Formula 1?
For starters, the skill sets needed in NASCAR and Formula 1 are very different. F1 cars are highly technical, lightweight machines built for extreme downforce and agile cornering. NASCAR stock cars are much heavier and produce less downforce, leading to a completely different style of driving.
Fitness and age also play a big role. F1 drivers must stay in peak physical condition to handle the intense G-forces and precision demands of their cars. While NASCAR drivers are also athletes, the physical requirements are not quite as strict.
There’s also a timing issue. NASCAR drivers tend to hit their stride in their mid-to-late 20s, while F1 drivers often peak in their early 20s. In F1, by your mid-30s, you’re likely already on the decline—aside from rare exceptions.
Then there’s the bigger picture: Formula 1’s presence in the U.S. was historically limited. Starting in the 1950s, F1 made multiple attempts to establish itself in America but struggled to gain lasting traction.
Things began to change with the opening of Circuit of The Americas in Texas in 2012. Better TV coverage followed, and Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” added fuel to the fire, finally bringing F1 to the forefront of American motorsports culture.