Button Ready To ‘Roll With The Punches’ In Cup Debut

Heading into the weekend at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, Jenson Button’s only experience in a Next Gen stock car was six days of testing in NASCAR’s Garage 56 entry in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Though it’s been valuable seat time for the 2009 Formula 1 champion, the sense of competition will be a new animal for the 43-year-old in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

“We don’t really have so much competition in that, so this is exciting. I get to race against 30 other crazy guys out there,” Button said. “I’m really, really looking forward to the challenge – and it definitely is a big challenge. Jumping in the car for a 50-minute practice session – and that’s it – before we go qualifying and racing.

“It’s tough I think for anyone who is not used to big, heavy cars with low downforce. I’m enjoying the process.”

During Friday’s lone NASCAR Cup Series practice session around the 3.41-mile road course, Button finished 28th in his No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford, rounding the circuit for 13 laps.

“The team has been great, and I’m looking forward to a good, solid weekend,” Button said. “The car felt pretty good out there, and I think tomorrow (Saturday) in qualifying – when it really counts to get a lap in – there’s a bit more pressure. We’ll see how it goes. Setup wise working with my guys, improving it… yeah, we’re going in the right direction.”

On Saturday afternoon, Button qualified 24th out of 39 cars. 

As the No. 15 team continues to fine-tune the setup to Button’s liking, his world-class skillset will show out with Sunday’s event nearing closer. 

While Button’s experience may be vastly different than his counterparts, the RWR driver is raring for the challenge despite a lack of seat time. 

“Driving a car is something I’ve done my whole life. So, I will be competitive in terms of our race speed,” Button said. “But as you said, it’s the other side of it where I have no experience – and that’s being six abreast going into turn one and tapping here and there. As I noticed here in practice, people don’t move out of the way when they’re on a slow lap and you’re on a quick lap. There’s a lot to learn.

“It’s a very, very different sport than what I’m used to. I’ll go with it… roll with the punches. I look forward to the challenge.”