NASCAR: Kimi and Kvyat are joined by Rockenfeller

As Formula 1 expands its geographic location with an increase in the number of races on American circuits, more and more European drivers are striving for a series that until recently was purely American history.

We talked about Kimi Räikkönen’s upcoming NASCAR race at Watkins Glen in August: the 2007 World Champion will drive a Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro. But this is of course more of a marketing ploy and the famous Finn does not set himself sports goals.

Daniil Kvyat, who recently made his NASCAR debut, has a different attitude, as the Russian driver is looking for options to continue his career and has long been drawn to the most popular overseas championship. Of course, Daniil will do everything he can to quickly adapt to the new series for him and demonstrate his speed skills.

It is curious in its own way that Raikkonen and Kvyat have competed on the Formula 1 circuits for quite a long time, and now they have to measure their strength again in NASCAR at the circuit at Watkins Glen.

They will be joined by another representative of European motorsport, and also quite famous – this is 38-year-old Mike Rockenfeller, the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the ex-champion of the DTM series. Unlike Kimi and Daniil, the German driver has a richer experience of racing on American tracks: in 2010 Mike won the 24 Hours of Daytona and in 2017 he became the winner of the Sebring race in the GTLM class.

“From the very beginning of my professional racing career, I have always followed the NASCAR series closely,” said Rockenfeller, who is about to make his debut with the Spire Motorsports team. “In addition, after being my teammate at Daytona last year with Jimmie Johnson, one of the heroes of this series, my respect for NASCAR has only grown.

This series is characterized by a very intense rivalry, it features some of the best racers in the world fighting wheel to wheel, when the cars are a few centimeters apart. It’s not easy to drive a car in Watkins Glen, and given the characteristics and size of NASCAR cars, I think I’m in for an even bigger challenge.

I’ve been lucky enough to have raced in LMPs, DTMs and GTs, but now I’m ready to make it in NASCAR. I will be driving the #77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and would like to thank the Spire Motorsports team for the opportunity to start a new chapter in my career.”

Russian motorsport fans may remember Rockenfeller from his successful performances on the DTM podiums at the Moscow Raceway: in most cases, Mike, driving the Audi RS5 DTM, won races or climbed to the podium. In 2013, when this series debuted on the Moscow track, he became the winner of the race and at the end of that season he won the title in this body series.