DTM champ Mattias Ekstr?m swaps tin-tops for NASCAR
If we’ve said it once, we’ve pronounced it the thousand times, though it warrants repeating – in context especially – that there exists an sea of difference in between batch automobile racing in America as well as furloughed cars abroad. And we’re talking about some-more than embankment here. The cars are dissimilar, a marks have been dissimilar, the drivers, the fans… as well as so as well is a racing. But the dual have been about to take one step closer when two-time DTM holdup Mattias Ekstr?m takes upon NASCAR.
Now Ekstrom wouldn’t be a initial European motorist to exam drive a batch automobile, though he’s already finished which. What we’re articulate about here is a full competition of an tangible NASCAR race (made presumably by Red Bull, that sponsors his Audi A4 DTM
Mattias Ekstr?m fulfills NASCAR dreamOn board the craft to the US immediately after triumph during ValenciaAudi “bureau” motorist tests at Virginia International Raceway todayTwo-time DTM Champion supports Red Bull group upon highway march
For the two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekstr?m the tiny dream is coming loyal currently: at a call in of Red Bull, the 31-year-old Audi driver is behaving lane tests in a NASCAR car during a Virginia International Raceway in Virginia (USA) to support a patrol in scheming for a arriving race.
“It’s no tip which a NASCAR array fascinates me as well as which it’s been the long-harbored mental condition of cave to drive such the automobile,” says Mattias Ekstr?m, who clinched his first DTM victory of a year during Valencia upon Sunday. After Scott Speed’s team-mate Brian Vickers was unable to test for health reason, the Red Bull squad in a United States remembered a interest shown by the Swede who has been contesting a DTM in Red Bull clothing for 9 years as good. Audi Sport authorized a outing by the motorist.
“The racers of a Audi family live motorsport with a great passion. That’s because we have been gratified to await wishes similar to Mattias’ for a NASCAR journey,” says Head of Audi Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Mattias has proven his flexibility as well as category in many dissimilar motorsport disciplines such as in convene competition or during a ‘Race of Champions.’ We’re vehement to see how he will do in a car as well as upon the track which have been both brand new to him.”
Ekstr?m’s outing to a United States is not quite the wish outing, though. With the test, he is ancillary a team’s preparations for the races that will not be hold upon a NASCAR-typical oval: Sonoma upon June 20 as well as Watkins Glen on August 8. The Red Bull patrol can equate upon a knowledge of the proven highway march consultant similar to Ekstr?m.
