Andretti gets closer to NASCAR

Today, all the efforts of the Andretti clan are focused on the program F1 developed jointly with Cadillac, and it is difficult to imagine that in the short term another new sports program could be initiated. However, we know of Michael Andretti's long-standing desire to join the NASCAR, and during the recent Extreme E Island X Prix, Andretti made no secret of it.

“Yes, there is an interest that I have never hidden, he said during the press conference. I've been trying to get into NASCAR for a while now, and while the opportunity hasn't presented itself, we continue to explore that avenue. I hope something can be put in place in the future. »

Besides Michael Andretti, another man would be working in the shadows for the realization of this project. Daniel Towriss, the head of financial engineering company Group1001, became co-owner of Andretti Autosport last year, after having been a sponsor of the team since 2018 through the Gainbridge brand.

Gainbridge is also a major sponsor in the NASCAR Cup Series of Spire Motorsports which enters Chevrolet, Cadillac's sister brand at General Motors. Marco Andretti, Michael's son, is also a driver of the structure in the Truck Series. Andretti's arrival in NASCAR could therefore involve the acquisition of this structure, or initially a partnership. Such an alignment of planets can only be pure chance...

Marco Andretti makes his rounds in the Truck Series © Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Andretti has always stated that a program in NASCAR should above all have no impact on existing ones in IndyCar, Indy NXT, Formula E,Extreme E, IMSA or Supercars in Australia, nor of course on his attempt to join the F1 grid. “I would like to emphasize that it is above all a personal desire which must not distract the attention that society pays to everything we do,” he said. But yes, I can confirm that we are thinking about it. » A great way to perpetuate the family legacy since Mario Andretti, Michael's legendary father, counts among his impressive palmares a victory at the 500 Miles of Daytona in 1967

READ > FIA insists on seeing Andretti in F1: 'How on earth can we refuse GM?' »