Alonso admits a Daytona 500 challenge has ‘appeal’

Engaging with Jimmie Johnson on social media, hinting as a car-swapping PR exercise, Fernando Alonso admits racing in the Daytona 500 has some “appeal.”

The double World Champion is set to walk away from Formula 1 at the end of this season and is currently exploring his options for 2019.

While more reports, and his recent road course test, suggest he’s off to IndyCar, the Spaniard, who has been racing in the World Endurance Championship, could yet dip his toes into other series.

NASCAR could be one of those.

The McLaren and seven-time NASCAR champion Johnson have been hinting at a possible PR-stunt in which they swap cars, however, Alonso says he may be interested in a bit more than that.

Hola @JimmieJohnson

…..👀…… pic.twitter.com/x8j3bvI8ii

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) September 12, 2018

“Well, it’s one of those iconic races that definitely are great,” he told Autosport when asked if he’d be interested in a ‘one-off Daytona 500’ bid.

“And they are very important in motorsport. There is appeal in all these kind of events.”

He, however, ruled out stepping into NASCAR permanently.

“Not really,” he replied. “I mean it’s definitely another series that is attractive.

“All the motorsport series, they have their good things, their bad things, their appeal sometimes. And we know NASCAR is one of the great series in motorsport.

“Obviously, I have never tested the car, I have zero information about the championship, the rules. So it’s a very difficult thing to judge.

“But yeah, let’s see what will happen there.”

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