For Kevin Magnussen, making a begin within the NASCAR Cup Sequence for Trackhouse’s Project91 is a bucket record second.
“I believe simply the NASCAR spirit, if you’ll; driving the automobile, participating within the race, seeing my identify up on the record with all these different NASCAR legends,” Magnussen mentioned on Friday at NAS North Island. “For me, it is an incredible problem. It is an actual pleasure being thrown in on the deep finish. It could be a really large problem to simply hit the bottom operating, having performed no laps in a NASCAR Cup automobile to date.
“It is an superior monitor. I walked the monitor this morning. It seems to be like probably the most excessive monitor that I’ve ever pushed. That might be an expertise in itself. Simply trying ahead to it.”
That speaks volumes coming from a 10-year Method 1 veteran turned World Endurance Championship sports activities automobile contender.
A majority of his profession was spent with the Haas F1 group, which meant an affiliation with the Stewart-Haas Racing Cup Sequence group. There have been quite a few press and hospitality occasions that Magnussen spent at SHR through the years so he has lengthy held a fascination with the very best type of motorsports in North America.
“Yeah, I imply, NASCAR is among the greatest types of motorsport, so I do not assume I ever thought it will be a risk as a result of I have been on that European Method 1 monitor that could be very totally different and remoted from the NASCAR world, so it isn’t usually you get an opportunity to truly cross over,” Magnussen mentioned. “It is nearly like being a soccer participant after which participating in a area recreation, and I believe that is what it feels prefer to me. It is nonetheless sort of comparable. It is the identical sort of sport, however a really totally different kind of it. So, I believe that is very, very thrilling, and I am simply tremendous privileged to get this chance to participate within the NASCAR race. It’s going to be a reminiscence for all times.”
His father, Jan Magnussen, additionally made a Cup Sequence begin in 2010 at Sonoma for Phoenix Racing amidst his personal journeyman motorsports profession.
“I’ve all the time been fascinated, and I all the time liked NASCAR,” Magnussen mentioned. “My dad had a bit of little bit of expertise with NASCAR, in all probability 15 years in the past or so now, and did a race. He was testing for Hendrick and performing some work there. I used to be talking to him, and he liked it a lot and had such an incredible expertise. And only for me as a racing driver, to have the ability to participate in NASCAR and have an expertise there may be simply going to be nice. I believe, as I mentioned, it is a large privilege to have that probability. Not many European drivers get that chance, so I am very grateful and privileged to be right here.”
The chance offered itself when Trackhouse proprietor Justin Marks reached out and Magnussen accepted ‘with out hesitation’ and obtained the blessing from manufacturing unit supporter BMW.
Magnussen believes his F1 profession has come to a remaining shut, and whereas he’s having fun with his Sports activities Automobile section, is ‘open-minded’ to no matter alternatives current themselves … like NASCAR.
“At this level in my profession, as I mentioned, I have been on that Method 1 feeder system ever since I used to be a baby from karting,” Magnussen mentioned. “Method 1 was my predominant aim and that was the place I used to be aiming, after which I spent 10 or 11 years in Method 1. Now at this level, I believe the entire world of motorsport is sort of open and I am simply taking any alternative I get and making an attempt to have enjoyable with it.
“Not that Method 1 was not enjoyable, but it surely was sort of like, I do have a way that I am simply sort of taking part in round, having enjoyable, experiencing cool issues and that is an incredible privilege. Clearly, my time in Method 1 gave me that privilege and alternative and now I am dwelling that. I believe I am simply preserving an open thoughts and actually having fun with myself. After which, as I mentioned, no matter alternative I get, I will have a look at it and try to seize it.”
To wit, Magnussen desires to attempt all the pieces that’s offered to him.
“I could not point out a type of motorsport I would not attempt,” he mentioned. “You realize, at this level in my profession, as I mentioned earlier, I am simply privileged to have the ability to do cool issues. I simply did the 24 Hours of Le Mans, however we did not do all the 24 Hours, sadly. I am competing in some actually, actually cool race vehicles in Europe, everywhere in the world, and now I am right here in NASCAR.
“So, I believe, yeah, to reply your query, there’s not likely any kind of motorsport I wouldn’t attempt. If you happen to had a Dakar group and also you requested me if I wished to attempt it, I would say sure. I believe that is the cool factor about the place I’m in my profession for the time being.”
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