It is a known fact that the Amercians are crazy about Nascar and Indy Car Racing. Indians are no different as Formula One and rallying have caught their fancy. Realising the potential for the growth of American versions of motorsport in India, Starbeast Motorsports has decided to sign up Narain Karthikeyan.
India’s first Formula One driver will make his Nascar Camping World Truck Series debut on March 27 at the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway, Virginia. The 33-year-old native of Coimbatore will drive the Wyler Racing No. 60 SafeAuto Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck.
A few months back, Karthikeyan had tested an ARCA car at the Daytona International Speedway. This is a new and exciting step in his open wheel racing career, which has spanned 22 seasons including Formula One and Le Mans Series, where he drove for former Force India team principal Colin Kolles’s team.
“The opportunity to compete in a Nascar series is a dream come true for me,” Karthikeyan said. “I have raced all over the world but this is a different kind of challenge. 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 in the US as I have in India.”
He will not compete in all races but in select ones.
Starbeast Motorsports is a newly formed team that is focused on a worldwide audience and they plan to do this by bringing in foreign drivers to the cash-rich series.
Starbeast Motorsports founder Miguel Abaroa said: “After his stint
in F1, Narain has become one of India’s most popular sportsmen. He is the obvious choice to introduce Nascar to the sub-continent.
“His story is that of a motorsport pioneer, and this next chapter will be his most compelling.” Wyler Racing’s driver Stacy Compton, who has driven for the team in 27 events, will serve as a driver coach for Karthikeyan and assist his transition from open wheel racing to Nascar.
“We have always had a desire to work with drivers to help with their transition into Nascar,” said Compton.
Nascar runs three series — the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series and sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 39 states in the USA and in Canada.
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