Although there is a report that Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 Formula Champion will test on Monday at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia, Kyle Busch Motorsports Tundra team officials would not confirm or deny that report.
Autosport.com reported that the test will take place at the half-mile track in Georgia, but when Auto123.com contacted a KBM team spokesman the reply by email was “a team official did confirm to Autosport that a test is scheduled on Monday and Kyle is not the driver testing. But did not and will not say who the driver is…”
Earlier in the day, Kyle Busch commented on Raikkonen at a media availability at the track.
“I think it’s cool. I think that some of these guys from the Formula 1, or from the open wheel background I should say, trying to take a step in NASCAR and see how it is pretty neat. It kind of gives a world presence to NASCAR,” said Busch.
Asked if the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway was a good place for Raikkonen to make his debut Busch replied, “I think most of it has probably got to do with his schedule and what he can do around his rally stuff”.
And Juan Pablo Montoya was unusually chatty about his former McLaren Mercedes teammate but also wondered about Raikkonen’s choice of venue for his debut.
“The only thing that I heard is that he was being approved for Charlotte. I don’t know if he’s even confirmed he’s doing it. I think it would be cool if he comes here. He’s a cool guy and I think he would fit right in. My first choice wouldn’t be Charlotte to start my first race,” Montoya declared.
As a footnote Montoya’s McLaren crashed into Raikkonen’s sister car in the first turn of the first lap of the 1986 US Grand Prix at Indianapolis, both were eliminated from the race and Montoya shortly thereafter left the team.
Autosport.com reported that the test will take place at the half-mile track in Georgia, but when Auto123.com contacted a KBM team spokesman the reply by email was “a team official did confirm to Autosport that a test is scheduled on Monday and Kyle is not the driver testing. But did not and will not say who the driver is…”
Earlier in the day, Kyle Busch commented on Raikkonen at a media availability at the track.
“I think it’s cool. I think that some of these guys from the Formula 1, or from the open wheel background I should say, trying to take a step in NASCAR and see how it is pretty neat. It kind of gives a world presence to NASCAR,” said Busch.
Asked if the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway was a good place for Raikkonen to make his debut Busch replied, “I think most of it has probably got to do with his schedule and what he can do around his rally stuff”.
And Juan Pablo Montoya was unusually chatty about his former McLaren Mercedes teammate but also wondered about Raikkonen’s choice of venue for his debut.
“The only thing that I heard is that he was being approved for Charlotte. I don’t know if he’s even confirmed he’s doing it. I think it would be cool if he comes here. He’s a cool guy and I think he would fit right in. My first choice wouldn’t be Charlotte to start my first race,” Montoya declared.
As a footnote Montoya’s McLaren crashed into Raikkonen’s sister car in the first turn of the first lap of the 1986 US Grand Prix at Indianapolis, both were eliminated from the race and Montoya shortly thereafter left the team.