• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 8, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

What a Hamilton Move to NASCAR Could Mean for the Sport

He is arguably the most popular motorsports driver in the world.

Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton (above) has hinted at wanting to run a NASCAR race. Could we see him in NASCAR’s Great American Race, the Daytona 500. Image from Rye-House.

Crossover between drivers in different types of motorsports has not been very common, but Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton raised an interesting point, hinting that he might end up in NASCAR one day.

Hamilton, who has three world championships, has expressed his love for stock car racing and stated that one day he’d, “love to have a closer look at it.”

Several NASCAR drivers have crossed over into Indy car and completed “The Double,” where they run both Indycar’s Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, but beyond that, there has not been much crossover between drivers from different types of motorsports.

If Hamilton were to come to NASCAR full-time or even for a single race, it could do wonders for the business of the sport.

To consider how Hamilton coming to NASCAR might help the business of the sport, let’s take a look at it from the standpoint of viewership demographics.

If you have liked this, click the???? below or next to the article so other people will see this here on Medium.

The 32-year-old, who has 55 F1 wins and is from England, could certainly help NASCAR draw in international fans. Nineteen different countries are represented on the 2017 F1 schedule, which means a large representation in countries across the world when it comes to viewership.

According to a New York Times article, “Formula One attracts more than 400 million viewers around the world. It is shown in more than 150 countries through 115 broadcasting partners, totaling 41,945 hours of coverage.”

https://frontofficesports.com/ryan-newman-and-velveeta-announce-sponsorship-and-sweepstakes-295e84164b8b

The article specifically looked at Italy’s demographics and found that F1 was more popular among 4 to 14 year olds than viewers ages 25 to 34 and fell off significantly in fans over 45.

The 2016 article stated that although F1 viewership had fallen since 2014, it was still the most watched form of motorsports.

According to a 2016 study, NASCAR’s demographic is actually comprised of fans outside the southeast United States, contrary to what many people believe.

Scarborough research found that 58% of NASCAR fans inside the United States live outside the southeast region of the country, although it does not state if that is only a study of fans in the United States. The sport is still largely male dominated, with 62% of its viewers being male, only a 1% decrease from the firm’s 2009 findings.

The NYT article noted, “Ultimately, Formula One remains the richest, most dazzling series with the most advanced car racing technology, performing on the best tracks with the best drivers.”

Hamilton would not be the first driver to move from one series to another. NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and John Andretti have all done “The Double,” running the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, the day prior to Memorial Day.

John Andretti became the first NASCAR driver to complete “The Double” running the Verizon Indy Car’s Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Image from The Spokesman Review.

That type of crossover is good for motorsports, as it gets fans of NASCAR following the Indycar race to see how their driver fares, even if just for one race.

Speaking from experience, a multitude of NASCAR fans that attended the 2014 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway tuned into the Indy 500 to follow Busch’s progress, as the event was broadcast live on the speedway’s jumbotron.

If drivers venturing into different types of racing becomes more common, expect to see each type of motorsports gain a new demographic of fan in terms of which action they prefer.

https://frontofficesports.com/ryan-newman-and-velveeta-announce-sponsorship-and-sweepstakes-295e84164b8b

If Hamilton comes to NASCAR, many Formula One fans might follow. Although he remained non-committal on his plans, he did note that it interests him, saying “I think us drivers should be able to do more than one series,” before concluding with saying he’d like to enter the Daytona 500.

Will we see Lewis Hamilton enter NASCAR’s Great America Race, the Daytona 500 in the future? Stay tuned to find out.


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

Jordan Can’t Bar Charter Sales Because NASCAR Agreed Not to Sell Charters

The contentious antitrust suit is slated to go to trial this December.

F1’s McLaren Valued at More Than $5B After Recent Stake Sale

MSP Capital purchased its stake in McLaren in 2020.
Michael Jordan

Texts From Michael Jordan, NASCAR Bosses Aired Out in Court: ‘I Have..

Jordan said he plans on “going down with fire” against NASCAR.
Kyle Busch talks with Nexstar Media Group, Wednesday February 14, 2024 during Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway

$6.2B Nexstar-Tegna Deal Could Create Local Sports Juggernaut

CW parent company Nexstar looks to acquire its rival in a major deal.

Featured Today

Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Tennis
September 5, 2025

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 5, 2025

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
August 10, 2025

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
August 8, 2025

Three Schools Sue Mountain West, Commish Over Withheld Funds

Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State intensified the court battle.
Courtesy: Harlem Globetrotters
July 25, 2025

The Harlem Globetrotters Have Changed Hands Repeatedly, but Keep Making Money

The team is gearing up for its 100th season.
July 16, 2025

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.