NASCAR: Martinsville sees Karthikeyan to make NASCAR debut & the return of spoilers

In a season of crossover drivers, India’s Narain Karthikeyan will make his NASCAR debut on March 27th at the half-mile Martinsville, Virginia in the Wyler Racing Chevrolet, in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series.

India’s first Formula One driver, follows in the tire tracks of IndyCar’s Danica Patrick and another ex-Formula One driver, Nelson Piquet, Jr. of Brazil.

“The opportunity to compete in a NASCAR series is a dream come true for me,” said Karthikeyan. “I have raced all over the world, but this is a different kind of challenge for me and I look forward to learning everything I can about racing in this environment. NASCAR is known for its passionate fans. I am excited to be introducing India to this sport and hope to help develop an equally passionate fan base there.”

Newly formed Starbeast Motorsports is focused on bringing NASCAR to the international community through foreign drivers. Karthikeyan is the center of Starbeast's efforts to grow the sport in India. And Starbeast, itself, has come to an agreement with Wyler Racing to prepare and enter trucks for the Indian racer in other events to be announced later this year.

“We have always had a desire to work with drivers to help with their transition into NASCAR,” said Stacy Compton, who has driven in 27 events for Wyler Racing since partnering with the team last year.  Compton will serve as a driver coach to help assist Karthikeyan as he makes the transition from open wheel racing to NASCAR. 

In a unrelated development NASCAR officials announced that the spoilers, instead of rear wings, will required on the Car of Tomorrow beginning with the Martinsville Sprint Cup race.

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition told reporters that 83 spoilers had been shipped to teams this Monday.

Kyle Busch said “being as though the first race will be at Martinsville with the new spoiler, shouldn't make that big a deal 'cause there's not a really lot of aerodynamics there. Once we get to places like Texas, Talladega, some other racetracks that are really, really fast, like the All-Star Race at Charlotte, the 600 there, too, it should bring out hopefully what the drivers were looking for, that's a better ability to run side-by-side and produce some better racing.”