Among the many 39 entries for Sunday’s race at COTA are previous Formulation 1 champions Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button, Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Jordan Taylor and IndyCar racer Connor Daly.
Crew Penske racer Cindric, the 2022 Daytona 500 winner, had an intensive sportscar background himself earlier than embarking on his full-time NASCAR profession.
Whereas he started with a bonus on highway programs from that have, Cindric has gained eight instances on oval tracks in his NASCAR profession, together with the distinguished Daytona 500 final season.
He would love outsiders – particularly worldwide drivers – tackle the problem of racing ovals in NASCAR.
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“I’d love for it to be a gateway or catalyst to see guys of that calibre – they’re not simply guys who come and do highway programs, however they’re champions and world champions and have been, or are, one of the best at what they do – coming and becoming a member of our racing,” Cindric mentioned.
“I hope it’s a catalyst or gateway for them becoming a member of us on not simply highway programs, however oval racing as effectively. I imply, it’s so completely different, however I really feel it challenges you in so many alternative methods.
“I’m wanting ahead to a kind of guys getting the chance to go exterior of their consolation zone and do exactly that.
“I understand how large of a distinction and tradition shift it was for me. So yeah, I hope it’s a gateway for that.”
Jenson Button, Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang
Photograph by: True Pace PR
As a driver who would by way of his personal distinctive path to full-time NASCAR competitors, Cindric mentioned he enjoys seeing how different outsiders alter to the inventory automobile model of racing.
“It’s [a] wacky means of doing issues most likely compared to what they’re used to,” mentioned the sequence sophomore, who has scored only one top-10 end (sixth at Las Vegas) within the season’s first 5 races.
“It’s numerous enjoyable and enjoyable to see the expansion of somebody who’s making an attempt this for the primary time.
“I’ve been on this sport for what I’d contemplate a restricted period of time, and the issues that have been new to me and unusual to me are most likely unusual, new or completely different for another person.
“It’s enjoyable to see what these completely different, unusual, awkward moments are for different folks as they’re making an attempt to study.
“I believe it’s enjoyable for the race followers as effectively. Guys like that who’re extraordinarily established, I’d count on most likely each single one among them in a sure respect to have some tempo this weekend.”
