Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren have a close relationship that started last season when they joined hands to help Kyle Larson race in the Indy 500. They have extended the deal to 2025 as the 2021 Cup champion will attempt to win the Indy event again. Having the strong support of Rick Hendrick can help McLaren to expand their operations to NASCAR.
Recently in his appearance in the Dale Jr. Download podcast with NASCAR Hall Of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., McLaren chief Zak Brown responded to the possibility. He admitted that a full-time entry regardless of their relationship with Hendrick is a massive commitment they can’t take up long-term. But he is open to potentially entering the Daytona 500.
For us, because it's a massive commitment, right? On the way over here I was asked, where might your relationship with Rick Hendrick go long term? And I don't know the answer to that other than I'd like to have a relationship with his team forever because they're awesome. Would we maybe one day put out a car at Daytona with Rick Hendrick? Maybe, I could see something like thatZak Brown told Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He went on to highlight that a full-time effort is such a commitment that too hard for the team to undertake. He backed his argument by explaining the struggles of Formula One drivers who have raced in NASCAR over the years.
Any interest for McLaren in NASCAR? 🏁
“Being in the Daytona 500 would be pretty cool.” pic.twitter.com/qwqS3w8vFu
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But I think a full-time effort is such a commitment and it is hard. You know, when you see these Formula One drivers come over to NASCAR, I think they go, this isn't as easy as it looks, is it? And same thing with these big forms of motor racing, you know you've been at the top of it.Zak Brown added.
Zak Brown uses Fernando Alonso argument against NASCAR entry
In 2019 McLaren entered the Indy 500 with two times F1 world champion Fernando Alonso. They were embarrassed in the event as the Spaniard failed to even qualify for the race. It was a learning moment for Brown and McLaren as they understood that being good in F1 doesn’t give them any advantage going into other top motorracing events. So, he admitted that coming into NASCAR won’t be easy for them.
It's damn tough. And I got a rude awakening in 2019 when we didn't qualify with Fernando at Indy, which was both the best and worst thing that's ever happened. It was worse because it was horrifically embarrassing, but man, did I learn a lot of stuff. Don't underestimate how difficult all these racing series are. Just because you're really good in Formula One doesn't mean you're gonna walk into NASCAR and kill it or vice versa.Zak Brown said.
The points made by Zak Brown a lot of sense and looking at a business perspective, as McLaren is luxury car brand unlike the current NASCAR manufacturers who are more focussed on regular road cars. But seeing a McLaren in the Daytona 500 one day will be something to look forward for the racing fans.
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