Jenson Button is gearing up for a NASCAR race this weekend at Chicago’s urban circuit, and it won’t be the former F1 driver’s first time driving such a car.
He made his NASCAR debut in Austin in March in a Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang, and less than three weeks ago raced at Le Mans in a Chevrolet Camaro stock car specially modified for classic endurance racing.
But now the 2009 World Champion is back behind the wheel of the #15 Ford Mustang, confident that he is already much better prepared for the challenges ahead.
“I think we can put on a great show! I think that’s the main reason the race is being held in Chicago — Jenson shared his expectations in a televised interview with NASCAR’s press office. “Everyone still has a lot to learn, because there is no room for error on a city circuit. You can’t take corners and then ride a little less aggressively the next lap. You just immediately find yourself in a wall and your car will be broken.
I think the riders and their teams are waiting for a rather unusual experience this weekend, everyone will have to put in a lot of effort to learn how to ride circles with a good time. And on the day of the race it will be impossible to fly like in Austin, otherwise no one will be able to overcome even the first corner.
The city ring demands respect, you have to think about that, but also about other cars coming onto the track. Of course, the experience of piloting on such circuits will help me, but there are also some very fast opponents who have been involved in street racing before. But in Chicago it will be easier for me than in Austin because it was unusual for me there that you can use the whole width of the track space.
Most of the time I drive between the white lines, and at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), if you’re on the side of the road, you just come back. In this case, you will not lose much time, but I repeat – in NASCAR there are completely different approaches to the fight on the track.
I’m sure I’ll be able to show a better result in Chicago, but everything can end as early as the first corner. And it’s not so much about how fast you are – it’s important that you have luck on your side.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
