From Red Bull Racing Team USA
When Red Bull driver and two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom visited Red Bull Racing Team in 2008, he "dreamed" of driving a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car.
Fast-forward two years, and Ekstrom finally gets his chance. The 31-year-old Swede will drive the No. 83 on Tuesday at Virginia International Raceway to provide the team testing support for the upcoming road race in Sonoma, California.
Both of the Red Bull Toyotas will test at VIR -- a road course of varying configurations and distances in southern Virginia. Considering Ekstrom's current resume, the No. 83 team expects to have its car dialed in come June 18-20 at Infineon Raceway.
"With Brian Vickers sidelined for the rest of the season, we needed a road-racing expert to help prepare the No. 83 for Sonoma," said Jay Frye, RBRT vice president and general manager. "We appreciate Mattias' willingness to help out and we look forward to his insight."
Ekstrom, a Red Bull-backed driver for the past nine years, heads to the States after claiming his first victory of 2010 in Sunday's second round of the DTM Championship in Valencia, Spain. The Audi factory driver currently sits second in the DTM standings.
In addition to his success in the Germany-based touring car series -- only twice in nine seasons has he finished outside the top five -- Ekstrom has proven his versatility and class in other motorsports disciplines. He's an active rally racer and three times has won the individual title at the Race of Champions.
"It's no secret that the NASCAR series fascinates me," Ekstrom said. "It's been a long-harbored dream of mine to drive such a car."
When Red Bull driver and two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom visited Red Bull Racing Team in 2008, he "dreamed" of driving a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car.
Fast-forward two years, and Ekstrom finally gets his chance. The 31-year-old Swede will drive the No. 83 on Tuesday at Virginia International Raceway to provide the team testing support for the upcoming road race in Sonoma, California.
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| Mattias Ekstrom Photo: WRI2 |
Both of the Red Bull Toyotas will test at VIR -- a road course of varying configurations and distances in southern Virginia. Considering Ekstrom's current resume, the No. 83 team expects to have its car dialed in come June 18-20 at Infineon Raceway.
"With Brian Vickers sidelined for the rest of the season, we needed a road-racing expert to help prepare the No. 83 for Sonoma," said Jay Frye, RBRT vice president and general manager. "We appreciate Mattias' willingness to help out and we look forward to his insight."
Ekstrom, a Red Bull-backed driver for the past nine years, heads to the States after claiming his first victory of 2010 in Sunday's second round of the DTM Championship in Valencia, Spain. The Audi factory driver currently sits second in the DTM standings.
In addition to his success in the Germany-based touring car series -- only twice in nine seasons has he finished outside the top five -- Ekstrom has proven his versatility and class in other motorsports disciplines. He's an active rally racer and three times has won the individual title at the Race of Champions.
"It's no secret that the NASCAR series fascinates me," Ekstrom said. "It's been a long-harbored dream of mine to drive such a car."