The skill needed to drive a stock car is underrated. Granted, F1 drivers need amazing reflexes and concentration, as do IRL and USAC pilots, but the difference lies in how well the cars drive. Former IRL star Sarah Fisher has been trying to break into NASCAR and has a development deal with one of the top teams. I read an interview with her in which she emphasized how difficult she found the transition. Basically, an IRL car drives itself and the driver just has to be very smooth in their inputs and avoid running into things. NASCAR cars by contrast don't handle very well. They are heavy, have relatively small tires and a lot of power. Unlike some series, the cars don't have electronic traction control. As a result, the cars are imprecise and require a lot of feel from the driver. Also, they tend to get into each other a lot, a troubling concept for an open-wheel driver.
Some people think the best background for NASCAR is offroad, because those drivers develop a good feel for traction.
Still, the great drivers seem to be able to make the transition. Tony Stewart took one year driving Busch before stepping up to the Cup and was an immediate success. Jeff Gordon went from open wheel to NASCAR and it worked out Ok for him too.
Some people think the best background for NASCAR is offroad, because those drivers develop a good feel for traction.
Still, the great drivers seem to be able to make the transition. Tony Stewart took one year driving Busch before stepping up to the Cup and was an immediate success. Jeff Gordon went from open wheel to NASCAR and it worked out Ok for him too.
