Max Verstappen has secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship, solidifying his status as one of the greatest modern open-wheeled racers. The milestone was achieved in Las Vegas with two races left in the season, a testament to his early dominance and ability to fend off challenges from competitors like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. This achievement places Verstappen among F1 legends such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost, and Juan Manuel Fangio.
However, while celebrations were ongoing in Las Vegas, a post by NASCAR’s Daniel Suárez sparked unexpected speculation on social media. Suárez, the driver of the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro for Trackhouse Racing, shared a congratulatory Instagram post for Verstappen. The two drivers share a personal connection as their partners, Julia and Kelly, are sisters and daughters of three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet. Suárez’s lighthearted message mentioned shared memories of Mario Kart games and soap soccer. However, the intrigue began when Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 account left a cryptic comment on Suárez’s post, asking, “Can you ask him a question for us?”
This single comment fueled rampant speculation online, particularly on Reddit and Twitter, with fans theorizing about a potential Max Verstappen cameo in NASCAR. Given that Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative has brought international motorsport stars like Kimi Räikkönen into the NASCAR Cup Series, fans eagerly discussed the possibility of Verstappen making an appearance. Some fans envisioned Verstappen competing in major events like the Daytona 500, while others doubted the likelihood, attributing the comment to playful social media engagement.
Enthusiasts debated Verstappen’s adaptability to oval racing, referencing his strong performance in iRacing ovals but noting he would need to refine his oval racing etiquette. Others highlighted Verstappen’s openness to exploring different motorsport disciplines. He has previously stated his intention not to remain in Formula 1 into his 40s, fueling speculation about his future endeavors.
Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program, launched in 2022, aims to integrate global racing talent into the NASCAR Cup Series. The initiative debuted with 2007 Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen, followed by notable performances from other international stars such as Shane van Gisbergen, Jenson Button, and Kamui Kobayashi. Van Gisbergen’s remarkable debut victory in the Chicago Street Race led to plans for a broader NASCAR engagement. Fans are now dreaming of other high-profile drivers, like Verstappen or Daniel Ricciardo, entering the series.
While the idea of Verstappen racing in NASCAR remains speculative, the possibility has ignited enthusiasm among fans. Whether it leads to real opportunities or remains a fun hypothetical, the buzz reflects a growing interest in cross-discipline racing collaborations.