NASCAR’s popularity has been growing since the introduction of the Next Gen cars. As a result, in the past year we’ve seen a few drivers make the jump over from other racing series, even if only temporarily. One of the most popular of these crossovers came in the form of Kimi Raikkonen’s Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing, and it’s just been announced that he’ll be making a return.
The 2007 Formula 1 champion will return to NASCAR for the road course race at Circuit of the Americas, and it will once again be with Trackhouse. Quite fitting considering his last F1 victory came at that very circuit.
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It seems Raikkonen also enjoys the more relaxed environment of NASCAR as well. “I had a fantastic time in NASCAR. There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, the competition was a big challenge. This time I get to race on a track I am familiar with so there won’t be as steep of a learning curve. I want to have fun, but also do as well as we can.”
As part of Trackhouse’s PROJECT91 initiative, Raikkonen won’t be replacing one of the team’s two drivers, rather he’ll be in a third alongside regulars Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez. But Kimi’s presence won’t be the only thing special about the March 26 race, as it was announced that 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button will be lining up on the grid that day as well.
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Unlike Raikkonen, Button will be present at three Cup Series races this season, and his drive will be fielded by Rick Ware Racing and supported by Stewart-Haas Racing. The other two races he will participate in will be the inaugural Chicago street race and the Indianapolis road course. Funnily enough, with both Raikkonen and Button at COTA, there will be almost as many F1 champions on the NASCAR starting grid as there will be for the actual F1 race there, with three for the former and 2 for the latter.