Cam Waters, a standout in the Supercars Championship, is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Sonoma Raceway. Having secured over 11 wins and 45 podium finishes across 260 starts, Waters brings a wealth of road course experience. This transition aligns with NASCAR’s broader strategy to attract international talent.
A case in point is drivers like Shane Van Gisbergen (SVG) making successful transitions from Supercars to NASCAR. SVG’s debut victory at the Chicago Street Course in the year 2023, highlighted the potential for Supercar drivers to excel in NASCAR. Now, as Waters prepares to join RFK Racing for his Cup Series debut, Brad Keselowski’s insights offer a deeper understanding of the team’s strategic decisions. What does Keselowski, a veteran RFK driver, truly think about Waters’ arrival? ADVERTISEMENT
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The success of Supercars drivers in NASCAR
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Supercar drivers have shown they can adapt and succeed in NASCAR, particularly on road courses. For instance, Shane Van Gisbergen’s win at the Chicago Street Course, where he outpaced NASCAR veterans like
Chase Elliott and
Kyle Larson. Similarly, Marcos Ambrose, a former Supercars champion, made a successful transition to NASCAR, winning at Watkins Glen in 2011 and 2012. These examples highlight the capability of Supercar drivers to excel in NASCAR.
This year, Cam Waters is poised to follow this path as he makes his Cup Series debut at Sonoma Raceway with RFK Racing. Waters has a stellar record in Supercars. He has secured 11 race wins and 45 podium finishes across 260 starts, including notable victories at the Sandown 500. Not to mention the fact that he is the only driver to have won the Australian Formula Ford Championship and the Supercars Development Series. Achievements apart, NASCAR is a tough territory in itself and cannot be taken lightly.
Sam Waters, while practicing with the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford at Sonoma, takes a bump against the wall but quickly regains control.
Brad Keselowski, co-owner of RFK Racing, shared his thoughts on Waters’ impact, commenting, “
Yeah, he had a great excursion right in front of me. And, uh, we told him he gets a lot of points for his save because he didn’t do anything. But you know it’s always interesting to see drivers come from different series and start… First of all, try to pick it up and the good, the bad, and everything between it.” But how exactly does having Waters in RFK is of any strategic importance?
Brad Keselowski continues, “We haven’t been as fast with our cars on the road courses as we want to be and hopefully he can give us some pointers to get there.” Keselowski here is referring to Cam Waters and his experience with supercars and racing on road courses. This will come in handy in controlling the next-gen cars owing to their similarity. Keselowski, himself being an old school has finally found a shoulder to rest on.
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Has the excitement and buzz surrounding the Sonoma raceway coupled with his Debut made Waters nervous? What is his take on his first adventure with NASCAR?
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Cam Waters’ perspective on his Cup Series debut
Waters is enthusiastic about his NASCAR Cup Series debut, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “For me, it’s a bit of a bucket list (item) to be honest,“, Waters said this week at NASCAR’s Production Facility in Concord, N.C. He added, “I get to come over and do a Cup race – it’s pretty awesome. To be able to do it, you know, on a road course and in a car that kind of makes a little bit more sense to me is going to be pretty special as well. I think I’ve got no idea how it’s to go but I just want to enjoy the week“.
He elaborated on the appeal of stepping out of his comfort zone, stating, “The other part was to be able to come over here and do a few oval races. That was kind of the Truck side and I absolutely had a ball. It appeals just to kind of step out my comfort zone and do a few more races on the side and complement my racing back home“.
At Sonoma, Waters will face formidable competitors. The list includes Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott. With +225 odds, Elliott, a road course specialist, is the favorite for the race. At the same time, Truex, a four-time winner at Sonoma, is also looking to break his drought with a win. As a result, Waters must draw on his Supercar experience to navigate the challenging Sonoma track and compete against these seasoned drivers.
Waters’ debut in the Cup Series represents a strategic move for RFK Racing. Moreover, it marks a significant step in NASCAR’s effort to diversify and globalize the sport. Will Cam Waters leverage his Supercar expertise to make a mark in NASCAR? The race this weekend will provide the answer.
