Kimi Raikkonen is moving up the NASCAR ladder rather quickly, it appears.
Kimi Raikkonen To Make NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut At Charlotte
After Raikkonen made a solid NASCAR debut in Friday’s Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the former Formula One champion is already headed for the Nationwide Series, according to the Top Gear 300’s entry list.
Raikkonen is entered in Joe Nemechek’s No. 87 car, and the car is already locked into the field (there are 46 entries). Nemechek, who is running for Nationwide Series points this season, will attempt the race in the No. 97 car instead.
The car is apparently being prepared by Kyle Busch Motorsports – it’s been housed at the KBM shop, according to Busch. But Busch insisted to reporters this weekend that he didn’t own the car, so it makes sense that Nemechek is actually the owner.
How is Raikkonen moving up so quickly, you ask? Follow the dollar signs. The Finland native brought money to the KBM truck and apparently had plans all along to drive in the Nationwide race during his trip to America.
So far, it’s gone well. Raikkonen seemed comfortable in the Truck race and finished 15th – though, as NASCAR fans know, the competition gets much tougher in the upper levels.
It’s unclear whether Raikkonen will stick around and drive more races this season, but he already has an eye on making a Sprint Cup start or two if his NASCAR plans stay on track.
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