Kimi Räikkönen to Make NASCAR Debut in N.C. Education Lottery 200

Kimi Räikkönen and the No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota Tundra
N.C. Education Lottery 200 Race Preview

RACE: N.C. Education Lottery 200
TRACK: Charlotte Motor Speedway
PRIMARY SPONSOR: Perky Jerky
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: DVS Shoe Company, Flexco, M&M's,
PRIMARY CHASSIS: KBM-3
BACKUP CHASSIS: KBM-2
MANUFACTURER: Toyota
MOTORS: Triad Racing Technologies
BROADCAST: Friday, May 20 - 8:00 p.m. ET SPEED/MRN/Sirius NASCAR 90

Kimi Räikkönen to Make NASCAR Debut in N.C. Education Lottery 200
Former Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen will make his NASCAR debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NC Education Lottery 200 Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Räikkönen will pilot his first laps around a NASCAR oval as a teammate to team owner Kyle Busch, from behind the wheel of the No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota Tundra.

"I'm excited to do my first-ever NASCAR race; it will be fun to compete against other drivers on the track again,"said Räikkönen, referring to only racing against the clock in World Rally Cars. "This is a new experience for me - - let's see what happens."

Räikkönen is scheduled to address the media following the conclusion of final practice, Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET, in the media center at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Finnish driver comes to NASCAR with a resume that includes the 2007 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship. Over his nine year career in Formula 1, he registered 18 wins and 62 podium finishes. The 31-year old is currently competing for a World Rally Car Championship for his own team, ICE1RACING.

Source: Kylebuschmotorsport.com
Courtesy: miezicat

Former F1 Champion Räikkönen to Drive Limited Schedule for KBM

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 2, 2011) – Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that they have signed former Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen to drive a limited schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series during the 2011 season. Raikkonen is scheduled to make his NASCAR debut as a teammate to owner Kyle Busch in the N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20.

Räikkönen comes to NASCAR with a resume that includes the 2007 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Over his nine year career in Formula 1, the Finnish driver registered 18 wins and 62 podium finishes. The 31-year old is currently competing for a World Rally Car Championship for his own team, ICE 1 Racing.

“We are honored that Kimi Räikkönen, a former Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion and proven winner, has chosen to start his career in NASCAR with Kyle Busch Motorsports,” said Busch. “Adding one of the most talented drivers in the world is a continuation of building a team of proven winners and champions at KBM. I look forward to assisting in Kimi’s transition to NASCAR as both an owner and teammate.”

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to start my venture into NASCAR with Kyle Busch Motorsports,” said Räikkönen. “Kyle is one of the best in NASCAR, and being able to draw on his knowledge will be a valuable asset as I make my transition to a new form of racing. He has put together an experienced team that builds fast race trucks. I look forward to being a part of a team that has proven to be a winner on and off the race track.”

“We are extremely excited to have Kimi Räikkönen begin his transition to NASCAR behind the wheel of Kyle Busch Motorsports’ Toyota Tundra’s,” said KBM General Manager Rick Ren. “As NASCAR looks to expand their fan base and generate further interest in certain demographics, having a former Formula 1 Champion with worldwide appeal is a huge deal not just for KBM but for the sport as a whole.”

Details of sponsorship and a schedule of races that Räikkönen will compete in will be released at a later date.

Source: Kylebuschmotorsport
Courtesy: Miezicat

Nogier impressed by Räikkönen improvement

Kimi Räikkönen's performance on day two of Rally Sweden compared favourably to Sebastien Loeb, according to Benoit Nogier, the man responsible for managing Räikkönen's ICE 1 Racing team

Räikkönen is seventh, one place behind Sebastien Loeb, in the overall standings after 15 stages. Nogier revealed that he even sent Loeb’s split times to the ex-Formula One world champion on Saturday afternoon so the Finn could compare his performance with the seven-time WRC title winner.

“We are very happy because it is the first time I sent him the split times to the car compared to Sebastien Loeb so it is good news,” Nogier said. “It was very interesting, especially this afternoon because he improved himself and was five-tenths of a second per kilometre [slower than] Loeb, which we are pleased with.”

When asked to explain Räikkönen’s increased pace, Nogier said: “It’s the second time for Kimi here in Sweden and we have already seen yesterday it was much easier for a second time. I think it’s also easier for him in the Citroen DS3 WRC.”

Nogier continued: “We plan for him to be in the points tomorrow and a top six would be great. It is our goal and we are not so far away now. We have a chance tomorrow.”

Source: WRC
Courtesy: sleenster