For a long time, Michael Andretti, son of motorsport legend Mario Andretti, entertained thoughts of entering a team in F1. However, that plan has been on and off a lot in the past few years. With the current political climate not favoring the Haas Formula 1 team at the moment, he is smelling blood in the water. Amid his F1 plans, he did entertain the thought of dipping a toe in the NASCAR arena.
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He will be the one that brings Honda into the sport
He said, “NASCAR could be an opportunity down the road,” though it’s not on the front burner currently. I always keep the door open (to NASCAR). It’s the No. 1 auto racing sport in the U.S., so it would be nice one day“.
What did fans say about Michael Andretti showing interest in NASCAR?
Naturally, this piqued the interest of several fans of the stock car series.
Great now I’m remembering how Andretti almost entered into NASCAR with Dodge in 2013 with Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth as the drivers, but backed out when they couldn’t find an engine builder
.@MichaelAndretti says that getting @FollowAndretti into @NASCAR "could be an opportunity down the road," though it's not on the front burner currently. 🗯: "I always keep the door open (to NASCAR)....It's the No. 1 auto racing sport in the U.S., so it would be nice one day."
I remember when they almost got in w/Dodge a decade or so ago.
.@MichaelAndretti says that getting @FollowAndretti into @NASCAR "could be an opportunity down the road," though it's not on the front burner currently. 🗯: "I always keep the door open (to NASCAR)....It's the No. 1 auto racing sport in the U.S., so it would be nice one day."
For 2013, Michael Andretti lined up a deal with Dodge and Kurt Busch but the deal died when Dodge announced they were pulling out of the sport. #NASCAR
.@MichaelAndretti says that getting @FollowAndretti into @NASCAR "could be an opportunity down the road," though it's not on the front burner currently. 🗯: "I always keep the door open (to NASCAR)....It's the No. 1 auto racing sport in the U.S., so it would be nice one day."
Many were excited and dreamed about him potentially bringing a new manufacturer to the sport. The chief names thrown in the ring were Honda and Dodge. This is largely because Andretti Autosport relies on Honda for its IndyCar exploits. However, Dodge was named because, in 2013, the manufacturer was searching for a team. Honestly speaking, Andretti Autosport could have struck while the iron was hot, but did not do so.
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BATHURST, NEW SOUTH WALES – OCTOBER 06: Michael Andretti of Andretti Autosport looks on during practice ahead of this weekend’s Bathurst 1000, which is part of the Supercars Championship at Mount Panorama on October 6, 2017 in Bathurst, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
There were talks of recruiting Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch at the time. However, Kenseth has now retired, and Busch is happy where he is in 23XI Racing. The reason why the Dodge and Andretti talks crashed and burned, was because they could not find an engine builder.
To make matters worse for Andretti, Dodge announced its departure. Of course, Michael Andretti has to focus on his attempts to breach the F1 market before thinking about NASCAR. However, the big question is, will it be easier to enter the NASCAR arena, as compared to Formula One? There are talks of taking over the Haas F1 team, but no one knows how far this is true.
READ MORE: Andretti Provides Update on Potential Haas F1 Takeover Amid Uralkali Crisis