For Kevin Magnussen, making a begin within the NASCAR Cup Sequence for Trackhouse’s Project91 is a bucket listing second.
“I believe simply the NASCAR spirit, if you’ll; driving the automotive, collaborating within the race, seeing my title up on the listing with all these different NASCAR legends,” Magnussen stated on Friday at NAS North Island. “For me, it is a terrific problem. It is an actual pleasure being thrown in on the deep finish. It will be a really massive problem to only hit the bottom working, having performed no laps in a NASCAR Cup automotive thus far.
“It is an superior observe. I walked the observe this morning. It appears to be like like probably the most excessive observe that I’ve ever pushed. That might be an expertise in itself. Simply wanting ahead to it.”
That speaks volumes coming from a 10-year Components 1 veteran turned World Endurance Championship sports activities automotive contender.
Ok-Magazine’s ideas on NASCAR racing
A majority of his profession was spent with the Haas F1 crew, 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 over time 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 could be a risk as a result of I have been on that European Components 1 observe that may be very totally different and remoted from the NASCAR world, so it isn’t usually you get an opportunity to really cross over,” Magnussen stated. “It is virtually like being a soccer participant after which collaborating in a subject sport, and I believe that is what it feels prefer to me. It is nonetheless type of related. It is the identical type 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 cherished NASCAR,” Magnussen stated. “My dad had just a little little bit of expertise with NASCAR, most likely 15 years in the past or so now, and did a race. He was testing for Hendrick and doing a little work there. I used to be talking to him, and he cherished it a lot and had such a terrific expertise. And only for me as a racing driver, to have the ability to participate in NASCAR and have an expertise there’s simply going to be nice. I believe, as I stated, it is a massive privilege to have that likelihood. 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.
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Magnussen believes his F1 profession has come to a last shut, and whereas he’s having fun with his Sports activities Automotive section, is ‘open-minded’ to no matter alternatives current themselves … like NASCAR.
“At this level in my profession, as I stated, I have been on that Components 1 feeder system ever since I used to be a baby from karting,” Magnussen stated. “Components 1 was my fundamental objective and that was the place I used to be aiming, after which I spent 10 or 11 years in Components 1. Now at this level, I believe the entire world of motorsport is type of open and I am simply taking any alternative I get and attempting to have enjoyable with it.
“Not that Components 1 was not enjoyable, nevertheless it was type of like, I do have a way that I am simply type of taking part in round, having enjoyable, experiencing cool issues and that is a terrific privilege. Clearly, my time in Components 1 gave me that privilege and alternative and now I am residing that. I believe I am simply holding an open thoughts and actually having fun with myself. After which, as I stated, no matter alternative I get, I will have a look at it and try to seize it.”
To wit, Magnussen desires to attempt every little thing that’s offered to him.
“I could not point out a type of motorsport I would not attempt,” he stated. “You understand, at this level in my profession, as I stated 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 the entire 24 Hours, sadly. I am competing in some actually, actually cool race automobiles 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 type of motorsport I wouldn’t attempt. Should you had a Dakar crew 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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