NASCARNASCAR Cup SeriesKimi Räikkönen: NASCAR Cup Series Debut 'Was Good Fun'

Kimi Räikkönen: NASCAR Cup Series Debut ‘Was Good Fun’

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

Though Kimi Räikkönen’s NASCAR Cup Series debut ended prematurely, the 2007 Formula One World Champion enjoyed his time in the Trackhouse Racing PROJECT91 car.

Talent On Display

Though kimi räikkönen's nascar cup series debut ended with a crash, the formula one champion enjoyed his experience at watkins glen international in the trackhouse racing project91 car.
#91: Kimi Raikkonen, TrackHouse Racing, Recogni Chevrolet Camaro. Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.

The Finnish driver drove into the top-20 in the first Stage of the Go Bowling at The Glen. In the wet conditions, Räikkönen shined. It was just the third time in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present), that the Cup Series had raced in the rain, and the first for the Gen 7 (Next Gen) Cup car. Räikkönen’s experience allowed him, as well as Mike Rockenfeller and Loris Hezemans, to brave the treacherous conditions After finishing the first Stage inside the top-20, the 42-year-old stayed on track.

Restarting inside the top-10, Räikkönen battled with defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Chris Buescher. The No. 91 Recogni / iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 threw big blocks on past NASCAR champions Elliott and Larson. The moves were reminiscent of a NASCAR veteran.

“It was good fun,” admitted Räikkönen. “Had more confidence all the time, had some good battles. It’s a shame. The car felt like it had a lot of speed. That’s how it goes sometimes.”

Though kimi räikkönen's nascar cup series debut ended with a crash, the formula one champion enjoyed his experience at watkins glen international in the trackhouse racing project91 car.
#99: Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Princess Cruises Chevrolet Camaro, #91: Kimi Raikkonen, TrackHouse Racing, Recogni Chevrolet Camaro. Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.

The speed on Räikkönen’s car was no surprise. The former Formula 1 driver was in the same car that his Trackhouse teammate, Daniel Suarez, won in at Sonoma Raceway several weeks ago. Both of Trackhouse’s full-time drivers, Suarez and Ross Chastain, have earned wins this year. Chastain won at Circuit of the Americas, the site of the Formula One champion’s last win, and Talladega Superspeedway. Räikkönen showed off his speed in practice, ending it in 20th, just 1-second off of eventual race winner Larson.

An Early End

However, the race ended abruptly for Räikkönen in the final Stage of the race. Austin Dillon spun to driver’s right in the inner loop after contact from Chastain. The field shifted left to avoid Dillon. In the chaos, Hezemans hip checked Räikkönen. The wheel-to-wheel contact with the No. 27 Hezeberg Ford Mustang sent the No. 91 skidding into the tire wall.

Though both hits were relatively small, the damage was enough that it ended Räikkönen’s day. As the PROJECT91 car is not full-time, the option to retire the car, which will likely re-enter rotation for Trackhouse’s full-time drivers after repairs at the team shop, was chosen.

“I wasn’t really involved (in start of the accident),” explained Räikkönen. “Thought I had a very good line there on the left. I had no time to react unfortunately. The impact was small. The first impact someone hit the tire and the wheel spun, something wrong with the racecar (after the impacts). That’s no good.”

PROJECT91’s Future

Räikkönen’s start at Watkins Glen International is the only scheduled start for the PROJECT91 car this season. Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks plans for the car to make at least six starts next year. The PROJECT91 car’s aim is to introduce world class international drivers, and their fans, to NASCAR.

As to whether Räikkönen will return to the PROJECT91 car for another start, he was unsure.

“We’ll have to see, I don’t know,” stated Räikkönen.

With his NASCAR Cup Series start, Räikkönen became the latest former Formula One driver to compete in Cup competition, joining a list of over 20 drivers. That list includes champions like Jim Clark, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, and more.

Featured Photo Credit: Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.

Seth Eggert
Seth Eggert
Growing up in Northern New Jersey, Seth grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. He was always determined to have a career in the industry. While in college, Seth bought a subscription to iRacing. As an avid iRacer, Seth took an opportunity to start a journalism career at iRacingNews covering the iRacing.com IndyCar Open Oval Series. He spent four years at iRacingNews before moving towards coverage of motorsports in the real world. In 2016, Seth joined Tribute Racing, which then became Motorsports Tribune as a Staff Writer. That same year, he graduated from Mitchell Community College with an Associate’s Degree in History. He joined the Kickin’ the Tires team as a Staff Writer and eSports Editor in late 2019. When he is not writing or covering NASCAR or iRacing, Seth works at Mitchell Community College as an Administrator in their Mooresville campus tutoring center. He is also qualified to tutor up to 38 different classes ranging from Communications to History to Math to various electives.
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