Jenson Button will do three guest appearances in NASCAR this season
Jenson Button will embark on a new adventure this year. After announcing his participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the British driver will compete in three Nascar races.
“Some habits die hard. For pilots, even after retirement, the call of racing and circuits is hard to resist. First, Kimi Räikkönen, who announced a few days ago that he would participate in a NASCAR race in Austin.”
From now on, it’s Jenson Button’s turn to take on the same discipline. The 2009 Formula 1 World Champion will be behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang Rick Ware Racing No. 15, with the support of the renowned Stewart-Haas Racing team.
His first deadline is scheduled on the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, on March 26th. He will therefore face the Finn on the same track. However, the Brit has a busier schedule as two other appointments are planned. In Chicago on July 2nd and in Indianapolis on August 13th.
An experience with Garage 56
This first experience in Nascar could serve him well for what awaits him in June: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The world champion with Brawn GP will be behind the wheel of the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro, a NASCAR car specially designed for endurance racing. He will be driving alongside Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller.
The first time I got in the car of Garage 56, I wondered what I was doing. It’s very different, and I thought that for four laps. But it’s still a race car with four tires touching the ground. It’s a mechanical race car, even better for learning. I really enjoyed this challenge, explains the former F1 driver.
« A Cup car has much less aerodynamic downforce and is much heavier, but the Garage 56 car gave me an idea of what it will look like, as well as a direction, and that is very useful. I know that for my first race, I am not expected to qualify in front or fight for the win. I have a lot of respect for Cup championship drivers. There is so much talent, whether on ovals or road courses. »
