CONCORD, N.C. — The Iceman is returning to NASCAR and this time at a track he knows quite well.
Trackhouse Racing announced Wednesday that 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to the NASCAR Cup Series on March 26 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas to race Project91’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The race will mark Raikkonen’s second Cup Series race after debuting with Project91 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Aug. 21 last year.
Unlike the Watkins Glen track, Raikkonen is familiar with COTA, racing on the road course eight times during his Formula One career. One of Raikkonen’s 21 Formula One victories, and most recent, came at COTA on Oct. 21, 2018, when he led 39 laps on his way to victory driving a Ferrari.
“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR,” said Raikkonen. “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.”
Trackhouse Racing – a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group – fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets with drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Trackhouse Owner and Founder Justin Marks created Project91 last year intent on expanding the organization’s global reach by fielding a Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers.
“When we announced Kimi last year I said he was the global superstar I had in mind when we created Project91. I think you saw the fan reception across the world and Kimi’s performance in the car was proof of the concept. Kimi’s following is massive and it’s great for NASCAR, Trackhouse plus I think Kimi really enjoys our racing.”
Raikkonen will race the No. 91 Onx/iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro at COTA fielded by a Trackhouse crew led by 23-time wining crew chief Darian Grubb who won a Cup Series title with Tony Stewart in 2011.
“I’m sure there are a lot of drivers that would like to have a chance to try NASCAR,” said Raikkonen. “It’s not very easy, so maybe it will open some doors in the future for more chances to try and get more Europeans into the sport.”
Raikkonen finished 37th in his Cup debut at Watkins Glen, after getting involved in an accident.