Coulthard the next to defect to NASCAR?

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from Autoblog

It's been all the rage in motorsports recently: Formula One refugees hopping the trans-Atlantic to race in NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya has found considerably more success than Jacques Villeneuve (even Michael Schumacher was offered a drive), but they could have some company soon.

Recently interviewed by ESPN, F1's elder helmsman David Coulthard said he would consider racing in NASCAR in the future. The Scottish driver is now entering his 15th season in F1, having started with Williams and driven nine seasons for McLaren before brokering Red Bull's purchase of Jaguar Racing from Ford. If DC did decide to make the switch, Red Bull's NASCAR team (pictured, right) could potentially provide him with an "in".

Although once a competitive driver, Coulthard has slipped to back-marker status over the past few seasons, and may soon have to face retirement from F1. If he does, NASCAR could offer a challenging alternative – joining his long-time friend Jacques in stock cars – because DC stated he was less keen on the idea of racing in IndyCars.
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http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/coulthard-the-next-to-defect-to-nascar/
from F1-Live

Coulthard won't rule out NASCAR in future

David Coulthard on Sunday said he would one day consider following his friend Jacques Villeneuve from Formula One to NASCAR.

The Scottish veteran, who at 36 is the oldest current driver on the grid, will in 2008 contest his 14th full season in F1, with Red Bull Racing.

"I would consider something like NASCAR," Coulthard told ESPN at the scene of the Race of Champions event at London's Wembley stadium.

"I don't think I would consider IRL. The only thing is, America, you have to commit to it absolutely. Which means you move out there, take your family there.

"But I'd certainly consider it. This will be my 15th season in Formula One. After that...
I'll do this as long as I'm having fun, as long as they keep saying 'Would you like to continue?'", he added.

Coulthard said even NASCAR's 38-week schedule, which is several weeks longer than the March-November racing calendar he is accustomed to, would not bother him.

"It's not hard to get in private planes," he grinned.
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http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071217094613.shtml

I can't believe this, another driver going to NASCAR? Whats so great about that?
 
Just like sportscar racing has been for the past decade or two. In any case, being F1's retirement home is bound to do NASCAR more harm than good - it'll gain exposure in Europe, and lose the redneck hicksville reputation to boot.
 
If I was a F1 ex-driver, I would either go for a win at Le Mans or at the Indianapolis 500 ... Fittipaldi should've tried Le Mans seriously, and to this day I feel sorry for Andretti's several failed atempts.
 
Roo
it'll gain exposure in Europe, and lose the redneck hicksville reputation to boot.
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I don't think having 3 F1 drivers (out of 43 in the field) will turn NASCAR into a polo club :).
 
Roo
Just like sportscar racing has been for the past decade or two. In any case, being F1's retirement home is bound to do NASCAR more harm than good - it'll gain exposure in Europe, and lose the redneck hicksville reputation to boot.
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I have no idea whether you support this idea or dislike it. Congratulations, you've officially confused me.

And what's wrong with Rednecks?
 
Muzaffar Musa
I can't believe this, another driver going to NASCAR? Whats so great about that?
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Money? Didn't Jimmy Wotsisname get US$ 40 mil last season in NASCAR? That sounds like a lot. Perhaps they can earn a better pension in NASCAR than any other category. Just speculating though.
 
Jim Prower
I have no idea whether you support this idea or dislike it. Congratulations, you've officially confused me.
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:)

I'm not fussed either way. It was more a response to mnm asking "What's so great about (Coulthard moving to NASCAR)?"

Jim Prower
And what's wrong with Rednecks?
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I don't know, I've never met any. It's just the impression I get from what limited exposure to NASCAR I have. (Damn you grammar!)
 
I wouldn't say much more than Rednecks are rural, working class folk. certianly, there are the "Villiage Idiots," the stereotypical "Rednecks," the kind Jeff Foxworthy jokes about, But most of us like big trucks and huntin' and fishin,' have a job out at the quarry or on the assembly line.

and we're nice folk, if not classy.

Actually, It's kind of why I dont' like NASCAR anymore: It's just too...commercial.

Kind of like Charlie Brown and Christmas.
 
At the rate the FIA is going, DC won't have anything to get used to in NASCAR. It'll be pretty much the same thing.
 
Alfaholic
Money? Didn't Jimmy Wotsisname get US$ 40 mil last season in NASCAR? That sounds like a lot. Perhaps they can earn a better pension in NASCAR than any other category. Just speculating though.
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Me thinks you just hit the nail...
F1 drivers are really spoiled with a hefty paycheck, and the only other racingcategory with that kind of money would be NASCAR.

Personally, I would rather see them go to DTM, ALMS, LMS, FIA GT or WTCC, but there simply isn´t very much money in any of those (well, compared to NASCAR and F1!).
 
I can't believe only a few of you would see why he would go to NASCAR. It's a perfect deal.

NASCAR team sees a Formula 1 (the only motorsport to be as popular as Nascar) driver wanting to join a team. What do they do? Offer a giant check to have him thinking they'll at least get an experienced driver.

What does Coulthard do? Easy, pick the team offering the biggest paycheck.
 

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