Kimi
Photo: Trackhouse Racing
NASCAR Cup Series

Kimi Raikkonen Tests Next Gen Car At VIR Before Cup Debut

August 11, 2022

Kimi Raikkonen’s NASCAR Cup debut is almost here.

The 2007 Formula One champion is just over a week out from competing in his first NASCAR Cup event, in the Aug. 21 race on the New York road course at Watkins Glen International.

That debut is being made possible by Trackhouse Racing’s Project91, which is intended to bring International racing stars to NASCAR’s premier series.

The 42-year-old Finnish driver arrived in the United States this week to begin the preparation for the race, which will be his third overall NASCAR start after competing in a NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races a decade ago.

Raikkonen’s preparation included taking part in a Next Gen car test Thursday at Virginia International Raceway, a road course in Alton, Virginia. it’s being done under the watchful eye of team owner Justin Marks.

“I’m optimistic [and] I have high expectations,” Marks said according to Racer.com. “I think that the speed and the race craft and adaptation to the track and the car is not going to be an issue at all. Just spending time with him in the shop, the way he was prepared when he first showed up here in America — not just 24 hours ago — he was asking questions about [Ross Chastain’s] pit penalty at Michigan, he had questions about short pitting stages and how to work strategy backward at the road courses. He has really done a lot of work and preparation, and that’s not surprising to me because that’s what it takes to be as successful as he’s been in Formula 1 for so long.”

Before Thursday, Raikkonen spent the week getting ready with Trackhouse driver Daniel Suarez and driver coach Josh Wise. That included getting time in the Chevrolet simulator.

Here’s a look at Raikkonen’s week so far.

 

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