Earlier, the Trackhouse Racing team announced an ambitious project to field a part-time third car. In a spot of news that nobody saw coming, the team has managed to rope in 2007 F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. As per the team’s announcement, the Finnish veteran driver will take the wheel of the #91 Cup car at Watkins Glen.
Admittedly, this is not Raikkonen’s first tango in a NASCAR machine. Back in 2011, the 42-year-old competed in a Truck Series race and an Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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In the Truck arena, he finished in a respectable 15th place, while he placed 27th in the Xfinity race. However, the Finn will be making his Cup Series debut in August at the Glen. On an interesting note, Watkins Glen International has hosted Formula One races between 1961 and 1980.
READ MORE: Throwback: When F1 Champion Kimi Raikkonen Impressed Kyle Busch in his Truck Series Debut
Who else is Trackhouse Racing aiming to bring into Project 91?
As per reports, Raikkonen will be the only one-off driver for the 2022 season. It is understandable, as he jumps into the car at a time when it is very close to the Playoffs. So the organization needs to focus on the championship fight since Ross Chastain has already booked his berth.
Cmon Lewis Hamilton, cmon Lewis Hamilton!!
— All Elite Matt (@WellDaddy17) May 26, 2022
Up upset this isn’t Danny Ricc
— CollectorKC (@ThecollectorKC) May 26, 2022
Bwoah
— Rudy Uribe (@RudyUribeM) May 26, 2022
Icy W for @TeamTrackhouse 🥶❄️🧊
— Nick Newell (@nick_newell_) May 26, 2022
For 2023 though, the outfit has big plans to recruit motorsport stars from the likes of F1 and MotoGP. Naturally, this prompted fans to pitch in names like Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and even Valentino Rossi. Some fans even suggested drivers like Colton Herta and a return for Jimmie Johnson.
We want the Doctor !
— Rob (@robelliott6) May 26, 2022
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I love the pick. Hopefully @JustinMarksTH decides Indycar and Australian supercars too. I wanna see Herta or this guy named Jimmie in a car
— sportsguy070 (@CjNascar6767) May 26, 2022
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Now, all that is left to do is anxiously wait until August to see the taciturn Finn in the car. One can only imagine what it would be like to have a press conference with Raikkonen and Kyle Busch. Both drivers are infamously short and brusque, which often makes them pretty popular on social media.
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