The United States has always been NASCAR territory. Formula One, by contrast, has been a more global affair with a fanatic headquarters in Europe. Both, it seems, hearken back to distinct eras in automatic racing from the last century.
NASCAR has its roots in the prohibition era. It was at this time that the most industrious moonshiners gained access to Ford cars and other vehicles. With a bit of handy work, these cars were modified to go as fast as possible just in case any chases ensued.
Formula One, on the other hand, saw legendary manufacturers hit the scene in Europe. As early as the turn of the 20th century, Italians, Monegasque, French, and German drivers were racing around medieval cities. After pausing due to global events, Formula One then took off and spread around the globe.
As early as 1950, Formula One headed to the USA. Grand Prix races have come and gone since then, all while NASCAR continues to reign supreme in North America. NASCAR, too, has seen a few one-off events in Europe, including launching a series in 2008.
This is a clear sign that US sports fans are open to F1. But could the racing series’ newfound global popularity challenge or change the world of NASCAR?
NASCAR & F1: Different Worlds
Though both racing series focus on going fast, there are great distinctions between F1 and NASCAR. F1 has no other goal than to go as fast as possible while keeping drivers safe. NASCAR, on the other hand, is more focused on the challenge of speeding up a stock car.
NASCAR drivers also want to go as fast as possible—but there’s an emphasis on ingenuity just as much as finance-driven research.
These differences mean that fans aren’t likely to enjoy both racing series even if they both include highly talented drivers zipping around courses. When viewed like this, it’s unlikely that the US will see NASCAR lose fans or hype to F1. They simply exist in their own worlds.
US Joins F1’s Global Rise
Still, it’s understandable that racing fans might want to sample something new. Thanks in part to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, which started in 2019, US sports fans were introduced to the inner workings of F1. Those who had no interest in Ferrari, McLaren, or Mercedes suddenly had a stake in the outcome of races.
Shortly after, Miami and then Las Vegas re-launched their Grand Prix circuits. Though Vegas has seen some road bumps (literally), Miami has quickly become one of the hottest new races on the F1 schedule. Both have gone a long way in attracting new fans in the US.
NASCAR’s Response to Drive to Survive
This January, Netflix released the first season of NASCAR: Full Speed. As you might have guessed, the documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of the NASCAR season. Not only is the series introducing spectators to how NASCAR functions, but it also offers an intimate look at its champions.
From Bubba Wallace to Ross Chastain, the series showcases the heart, grit, and passion that drivers bring to each race. It’s certainly less political than F1, but there’s plenty of nail-biting scenes. In other words, it wouldn’t be a shock if this series also helped spur interest in NASCAR.
But could it drive international interest like Drive to Survive? For now, it’s too soon to speculate.
