Team Red Bull has confirmed that DTM star, Mattias Ekström, will race the No. 83 Toyota at Richmond this weekend taking over the seat formerly occupied by Reed Sorenson.
Sorenson was filling in for the recuperating Brian Vickers.
Previously, Ekström, drove at Infineon with a 21st place finish although he did lead seven laps. In the meantime, when not racing in the DTM – the German Touring Car Championship, he’s tested stock cars at Gresham Motorsports Park, GA and North Wilkesboro Speedway, NC. for the team
This will be the Swede’s first oval race.
“Mattias did a great job in Sonoma, and continues to impress at the oval track testing sessions,” said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. “He has earned this opportunity, showing continued improvement every time he is behind the wheel.”
Ekström, a Red Bull-supported athlete for the past nine years, claimed his first victory of 2010 in the second round of the DTM Championship on May 23 in Valencia, Spain. He currently sits fifth in the DTM standings and has 14 career victories.
“To do a race on an oval is something different -- it’s a lot of laps and a lot of cars,” said Ekström. “Racing in Richmond will be one of the biggest tasks of my life so far, but I feel I am ready for the challenge.”
Sorenson was filling in for the recuperating Brian Vickers.
Previously, Ekström, drove at Infineon with a 21st place finish although he did lead seven laps. In the meantime, when not racing in the DTM – the German Touring Car Championship, he’s tested stock cars at Gresham Motorsports Park, GA and North Wilkesboro Speedway, NC. for the team
This will be the Swede’s first oval race.
“Mattias did a great job in Sonoma, and continues to impress at the oval track testing sessions,” said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. “He has earned this opportunity, showing continued improvement every time he is behind the wheel.”
Ekström, a Red Bull-supported athlete for the past nine years, claimed his first victory of 2010 in the second round of the DTM Championship on May 23 in Valencia, Spain. He currently sits fifth in the DTM standings and has 14 career victories.
“To do a race on an oval is something different -- it’s a lot of laps and a lot of cars,” said Ekström. “Racing in Richmond will be one of the biggest tasks of my life so far, but I feel I am ready for the challenge.”