The Finn was coming into his first aggressive occasion after retiring from F1 on the finish of 2021, and from 27th on the grid his Trackhouse Chevrolet progressed into the highest 20 early within the moist early phases of Sunday’s race.
Because the observe dried, he was on a technique that might permit him to progress inside the highest 10 firstly of the second stage. He held his personal and ran as excessive as eighth till his subsequent green-flag pit cease dropped him to 28th.
However it all went unsuitable when racing resumed for the beginning of the third stage. Raikkonen’s Trackhouse team-mate Ross Chastain made contact with Austin Dillon on the Internal Loop chicane, sending the 2018 Daytona 500 winner spinning.
The stack-up resulted in touch between Loris Hezemans and Raikkonen, who went careening nose-first into the barrier to the left-side of the observe.
“I believed I had an excellent line there however all people appeared to come back (to) the left, sadly I had no time to react,” defined Raikkonen, who was categorised 37th.
“The primary affect, any individual hit the tyre or the wheel straight and the (steering) wheel spun. There’s something unsuitable with the wrist, however that is the way it goes.”
Regardless of the early exit, he loved his time behind the wheel of a Cup Collection automotive, saying it was “good enjoyable”.
He then added: “I felt extra confidence on a regular basis and had some good battles.
Raikkonen reported wrist ache after his race-ending crash at Watkins Glen
Picture by: Motorsport Images
“It is a disgrace. The automotive felt prefer it had numerous pace in there however that is the way it goes typically.”
When requested if he would attempt NASCAR once more, Raikkonen wouldn’t rule it out, stating: “We’ll see. I do not know.”
After qualifying, Raikkonen had stated his NASCAR outing was motivated by fun, and that he did not have something to lose by pitching himself towards the Cup regulars.
His fellow ex-F1 racer Daniil Kvyat, one in every of 4 drivers needed to begin from the rear because of unapproved changes, was categorised 36th on his second NASCAR outing with Staff Hezeberg’s Toyota, whereas 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mike Rockenfeller completed on the lead lap in 30th on his first outing within the Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
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