Different forms of racing are well different. I don't think Kimi will be great right off the bat, but I think he can be competitive eventually (much like Montoya).
My problems with NASCAR are the following (I did watch for a few years as well).
1. Post race driver interviews "Sponsor, sponsor, 110%, my "sponsor" crew, sponsor sponsor sponsor". It drove me nuts.
2. It is supposed to be stock cars! Go out and buy what you see in the race. I like the old days, I would rather watch a race
from 30 years ago that I know the outcome than one from today.
3. The two above ruined the series for me.
I enjoy F1 for the geekyness of it, cars are not meant to be stock, but teams are given a formula and design the best car they can.
The performance of the cars are mind boggling. I used to like playing the papyrus NASCAR sims due to the close racing, but watching
other people drive in circles is boring for me.