IMSA Star Dissects International Driver’s Surprising Focus Shift to NASCAR Amidst Truck Series Debut

Multiple storylines have emerged with the NASCAR action heading to the coveted road course in Austin, the Circuit of The Americas aka COTA. The Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen making his 2024 Cup debut and the return of international star Kamui Kobayashi to the Cup Series have all hyped up the event.

One other attraction is from the third-ranked faction, the Truck Series, where the reigning champion of the IMSA champion makes his debut at COTA in Saturday’s race. The 33-year-old British racer ahead of his race has opened up, revealing why more and more international talents are taking up the NASCAR challenge and coming over to the US.

Jack Hawksworth makes his NASCAR debut in the Truck Series race at COTA

Reigning IMSA GTD Pro Class champion, Jack Hawksworth is all set to step into the world of Stock Car racing, gearing up for Saturday’s Truck Series action at the coveted 3.42-mile-long COTA track. The Brit will get behind the wheel of the #1 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in the event.

Welcoming the driver to NASCAR Live Wide Open was host Mike Bagley, who was quick to ask him why international talents are venturing into NASCAR. To which, the Lexus Racing driver gave a detailed analogy saying, “I think it’s just a different challenge, like NASCAR is quite unique in the way the cars are very unique, right?”

He then mentioned how NASCAR cars differ from the sports car scene, highlighting the use of H-pattern sequential gearboxes, the low downforce body, and how the hefty body of Stock Cars creates a new experience for the drivers. “The racing is very aggressive, it’s very exciting to watch, I think for…Guys, guys from Europe, and guys from all the series. We look at it and we think it looks, we think it looks fun and we think it looks like a new challenge,” said the driver.

The driver personally loves to try out different things, especially when it comes to challenging himself. He credited NASCAR’s addition of new road courses to bump up the number of international racers transitioning into NASCAR for a crossover. He added, “The road course stuff has obviously got a bit bigger I think recently in NASCAR they’ve added more road courses to the schedule which I think also is going to maybe increase that crossover a little bit. And you know, be under no illusion, the ovals, very very different too. What we do on the sports car side, but the road course side is a lot closer and I think that’s where you get that cross-over.” 

Hawksworth will have Mobil1 to power his Truck Series venture and the driver has relayed his heartfelt appreciation to the brand for their support.

Mobil1 backs Hawksworth in COTA

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Mobil 1, a partner of TRD USA, will serve as the primary marketing partner for Hawksworth for Saturday’s XPEL 225, as he looks to leave a lasting impression in his first NASCAR Truck Series start. Hailing from Bradford, United Kingdom, Hawksworth comes to America with a track record of 11 victories, 10 pole positions, and 25 podiums while capturing championships in both the IMSA GTD Sprint Cup and GTD PRO categories.

Reflecting on the opportunity, he said, “I’m super stoked to be joining TRICON Garage and piloting the No. 1 Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra at COTA, the truck looks awesome. I’m looking forward to stepping back into the NASCAR world, working with the team leading up to the race weekend, and then going out there and getting after it. COTA is a fun, technical track and one that should be challenging to tame a stock car at. A big thank you to everyone at TRD, Lexus, Mobil 1, and TRICON for making this possible. I can’t wait to get started.”

What do you think? Can the Brit actually make his NASCAR start a memorable one? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

READ MORE: “It’s Going to Be Tough” – Kyle Larson Caught Off-Guard at COTA as He Musters a Pole Against Road Course Masters