the moment of truth for Raikkonen
After a few Truck Racing races twelve years ago, Kimi Räikkönen is returning to NASCAR at Watkins Glen this weekend… not without ambition!
At 42, and even if his record of 350 Grand Prix appearances will soon be beaten by Fernando Alonso, Iceman is not done with car racing.
As he had done during his post-Ferrari break in 2010/2011, Räikkönen tried his hand at other disciplines: at the time the WRC, but also the third division of NASCAR, in the Truck Series.
This time, it is in division 1 at the level of the prestigious Cup that the Finn will try to shine on the Watkins Glen road circuit.
He was recruited for this “one shot” (and more if you like) by TrackHouse Racing, the team formed from the ashes of the solid Chip Ganassi Racing formation in NASCAR.
In the hands of one of its drivers, Ross Chastain, the team has already accumulated three victories and seven podiums this season, which speaks volumes about the potential of its latest generation Chevrolet Camaro (photo above), a car providing more downforce and better handling than its predecessors.
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« The introduction of these new cars means that most teams are still learning, especially on the road tracks, points out Kimi. It evens the odds somewhat and when the opportunity to race came up I took it thinking I could shine. »
It should be noted that no less than six non-American drivers, which is a record for the discipline, are lined up at the Glen this weekend: in addition to Räikkönen (Finland), we will see in action Daniil Kvyat (Russia), Mike Rockenfeller ( Germany), Daniel Suarez (Mexico), Kyle Telley (Great Britain) and Loris Hezemans (Netherlands).
