Lewis Hamilton keen to race in NASCAR one day - MotorSportsTalk

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he would like to take part in a NASCAR race one day, as well as trying his hand at MotoGP.

Hamilton first got a taste of a NASCAR racer back in 2011 during a promotional event for Mobil 1 with Tony Stewart at Watkins Glen.

In a recent interview with British newspaper the Daily Mirror, the Briton revealed that he first wanted to race motorbikes when he was young, and is still interested in trying out a MotoGP bike one day.

“When I was a kid I wanted to race motorbikes,” Hamilton said.

“When my dad bought me my first go-kart I actually wanted a motorbike. I’m not disappointed how things have turned out but bikes were my first love I suppose.

“I’d also love to test a MotoGP bike just to see what it’s like. Naturally I’d know the lines but I’d love to know if I could even do it.”

Hamilton then added: “I’d really like to do a NASCAR race one day.”

The report was welcomed by current NASCAR driver Joey Logano, who tweeted: “Would be fun to have u on track with us @LewisHamilton!”

Would be fun to have u on track with us @LewisHamilton! 👍🏻 https://t.co/KoXmH5Llcu

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) August 4, 2015

Hamilton’s interest in MotoGP has resulted in nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi offering the Briton a ride on his Yamaha bike.

“We always says to me he wants to come and try the motorcycle, but I say to him: ‘You ride a motorcycle, or you have to start from zero?'” Rossi said ahead of this weekend’s race at Indianapolis.

“But he said that he has good skill, he rides a 450 [motocross bike] and everything. You know, need a little bit of experience before try the MotoGP.

“But our bike is very easy, so we try to kill a little bit of power and for sure is good if Lewis will try the [Yamaha] M1.”

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Ryan Hunter-Reay was named to replace Conor Daly in Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet, starting in the NTT IndyCar Series event next week at Road America.

Hunter-Reay is the 2012 series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner. He finished 11th for Dreyer & Reinbold last month in the 107th Indy 500, his first start since the 2021 season finale. He drove full time for Andretti Autosport from 2010-21.

“We need to improve our competitiveness and I wanted to add a fresh perspective from a driver like Ryan who has a massive amount of experience and success as well as a reputation as a team leader. I am excited to welcome Ryan to the team,” team owner Ed Carpenter said in a team release. “We have worked together in the past as teammates and he tested for ECR at Barber Motorsports Park in October 2021, where he made an immediate impact as we were able to qualify one of our cars on the pole following that test. I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset to ECR as we move forward toward our goals as a team.”

Hunter-Reay has 18 IndyCar victories, most recently in 2018. He also is a winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having been a part of winning entries in the 2020 Twelve Hours of Sebring and 2018 Petit Le Mans. Last year, he was an endurance driver for Cadillac Racing while being on standby for Chip Ganassi Racing.

He replaces Daly, whose departure was announced a day earlier in what the driver and team said was a mutual decision.

“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed,” Hunter-Reay said in a team release. “He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help. Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BITNILE.COM.

“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world. Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT IndyCar Series car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber. However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BITNILE.COM, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”

Said Milton “Todd” Ault, the chairman of sponsor BitNile.com: “It is great for BitNile.com to be aligned with an Indy 500 Winner and an NTT IndyCar Series champion. I have followed Ryan’s career for years and I am confident he will challenge the entire ECR team to perform at higher levels. I wish everyone luck at Road America.”