Το ότι ο Kimi Raikkonen θα οδηγεί στο NASCAR από το καλοκαίρι είναι κάτι που το ξέρουμε από την προηγούμενη εβδομάδα. Αυτό που δεν ξέραμε είναι ότι προτού κάνει την δική του ομάδα ICE1 Racing, θα τρέχει για λογαριασμό της Kyle Busch Motorsports στην κατηγορία Camping World Truck Series. Ντεμπούτο θα κάνει στις 20 Μαίου στην πίστα Charlotte Motor Speedway στον αγώνα N.C Education Lottery 200 μαζί με τον Kyle Busch.
Ο Kimi Raikkonen μετά την κατηγορία Truck Series θα μεταβεί στην Nationwide Series ώστε να φτάσει στην Sprint Cup Series όπου αγωνίζεται ο γνώριμος τους από την Formula 1, Juan Pablo Montoya.
[Πηγή: Kyle Busch Motorsports | Photo Copyright: REUTERS/Roni Rekomaa/LEHTIKUVA]
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Former F1 Champion Raikkonen to Drive Limited Schedule for KBM
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 2, 2011) – Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that they have signed former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen to drive a limited schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series during the 2011 season. Raikkonen is scheduled to make his NASCAR debut as a teammate to owner Kyle Busch in the N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20.
Raikkonen comes to NASCAR with a resume that includes the 2007 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Over his nine year career in Formula 1, the Finnish driver registered 18 wins and 62 podium finishes. The 31-year old is currently competing for a World Rally Car Championship for his own team, ICE 1 Racing.
“We are honored that Kimi Raikkonen, a former Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion and proven winner, has chosen to start his career in NASCAR with Kyle Busch Motorsports,” said Busch. “Adding one of the most talented drivers in the world is a continuation of building a team of proven winners and champions at KBM. I look forward to assisting in Kimi’s transition to NASCAR as both an owner and teammate.”
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to start my venture into NASCAR with Kyle Busch Motorsports,” said Raikkonen. “Kyle is one of the best in NASCAR, and being able to draw on his knowledge will be a valuable asset as I make my transition to a new form of racing. He has put together an experienced team that builds fast race trucks. I look forward to being a part of a team that has proven to be a winner on and off the race track.”
“We are extremely excited to have Kimi Raikkonen begin his transition to NASCAR behind the wheel of Kyle Busch Motorsports’ Toyota Tundra’s,” said KBM General Manager Rick Ren. “As NASCAR looks to expand their fan base and generate further interest in certain demographics, having a former Formula 1 Champion with worldwide appeal is a huge deal not just for KBM but for the sport as a whole.”
Details of sponsorship and a schedule of races that Raikkonen will compete in will be released at a later date.
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