MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Veteran racer Max Papis will make his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this Saturday during the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
The 51-year-old Italian will drive the No. 17 ODT (Rimegepant) Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing. It will be his first NASCAR National series start of any kind since 2013.
“I think it might be the first time in history that someone will go from IndyCar race control to race a NASCAR car in the same day,” said Papis, who doubles as an NTT IndyCar Series steward during IndyCar Series races. “I’m excited to come back to NASCAR with Rick Ware out of a conversation on pit lane at the IndyCar event. I always say I am never retired, just in-between sponsors. It will be even more special to do in Indianapolis in front of my kids and many of my long-time race fans that have seen me competing here throughout my career. This track has been great to me in the past and I have been able to be on the podium both in IMSA and SVRA. it feels so good to be back. Thank you Rick and all at RWR for making this happen.”
Papis has competed in all three NASCAR National divisions, including 14 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He scored four top-five finishes in those starts, including a runner-up result in a photo finish at Canada’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2010.
“I was talking with Max last week in Nashville and I brought up the race on the Indy Road Course,” said team owner Rick Ware. “I jokingly asked Max if he remembered how to drive a four-speed manual or if he was too scared. Max jumped at the opportunity and called my bluff. We are so excited to have a fan-favorite like Max get into our Xfinity car and compete after getting out of the officials stand for IndyCar. We look forward to this start with more information coming soon about other possible opportunities.”