Kimi to NASCAR

d.rocky · 29 Mar 2011, 13:59 (Ref:2855410)

Kimi Raikkonens joining NASCAR http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90331

rustyfan · 29 Mar 2011, 14:07 (Ref:2855415)

I'm impressed he's taking the proper route by first going to one of the feeder championships, lesser drivers than him have gone straight to the Cup Series with very mixed results.

Knowlesy · 29 Mar 2011, 14:27 (Ref:2855424)

Remember when the Kimi fans laughed at Monty going over there?

It's good to see him give it a try anyways!

FordCosworthPanoz · 29 Mar 2011, 14:54 (Ref:2855439)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyfan

I'm impressed he's taking the proper route by first going to one of the feeder championships, lesser drivers than him have gone straight to the Cup Series with very mixed results.

Agree with you on that, experience seems to be the key when moving into the Cup Series.

Overall, Im not exactly sure how Kimi will fit into the whole NASCAR enviroment. But one things for sure, it will be fun to watch.

gttouring · 29 Mar 2011, 15:19 (Ref:2855449)

This is great - although he complained of the predicrbility and fullness of racing in F1. I bet the traffic and higher average speed will really make him enjoy it, I will see everyrace he is in.

JHamilton · 29 Mar 2011, 16:21 (Ref:2855480)

That's cool. I've always liked Kimi and wish him the best.

His name will be quite the challenge from most Americans. We'll have to work on his new name.

JHamilton · 29 Mar 2011, 16:48 (Ref:2855494)

Kimi Kardashian?

**FIRE** · 29 Mar 2011, 17:24 (Ref:2855513)

Interesting to see how he will do, but two things:
a) Teaming up with Gillet? I am not sure if that's a good thing.
b) Is he capable of handling all the PR stuff?

MJ_N_09 · 29 Mar 2011, 19:43 (Ref:2855577)

TBH, I'm not surprised that he made the decision, because I remember a Jayski article from 2009, with Kimi saying that "I could run in Nascar". I didn't think much at the time, but now.....yeah.

Hope he does well, but seeing how he's going to follow a similar path into the series like Montoya and Piquet have, he should have no problem performing......

But, it's the team I am concerned about. A new startup with Gillett backing it? We all know what almost happened to Richard Petty last year when he went financially bust....

PabloTeK · 29 Mar 2011, 22:02 (Ref:2855635)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

b) Is he capable of handling all the PR stuff?

"I'd like to thank me for winning this race."

Matt · 29 Mar 2011, 22:32 (Ref:2855646)

Kimi will be eating ice cream in the pits with Harry Hogge.

Paradise City · 30 Mar 2011, 01:09 (Ref:2855675)

I seem to remember an old Autosport? splash where Kimi was interviewed and he had a go at NASCAR. It was shortly after Montoya had gone over there and I suppose he wanted to have a dig at Montoya.

fieldodreams79 · 30 Mar 2011, 01:18 (Ref:2855678)

Why not? Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

fieldodreams79 · 30 Mar 2011, 01:33 (Ref:2855681)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

That's cool. I've always liked Kimi and wish him the best.

His name will be quite the challenge from most Americans. We'll have to work on his new name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Kimi Kardashian?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Kimi will be eating ice cream in the pits with Harry Hogge.

You two guys, with your jokes! Good stuff.

Kenny Reinhardt.

Rick · 30 Mar 2011, 07:13 (Ref:2855728)

JPM will be looking forward to it.

"Montoya about Raikkonen" on youtube gives an idea (language!!)

**chunterer** · 30 Mar 2011, 09:09 (Ref:2855768)

Their relationship wasn't one of the worst we've seen in F1 history, but that's all in the past. They were just completely opposite characters even if their actual driving styles were broadly similar (all the more reason to wonder why the heck it didn't work out for them at Mclaren.)

JPM didn't get on famously with many F1 drivers though remember!!

Be nice to see the two of them drafting around Daytona in a couple of years time.

Super Hans · 30 Mar 2011, 09:14 (Ref:2855770)

I'd certainly make more of an effort to follow Nascar if Kimi was there. Though as a Liverpool supporter, I'm not to keen on him being involved with George Gillett!

rustyfan · 30 Mar 2011, 09:42 (Ref:2855787)

Nor is Ray Evernham:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto123.com

Ray Evernham, a former partner of Foster Gillett at Richard Petty Motorsports was a little bit astounded when he learned of the rumor of Kimi Raikkonen coming to NASCAR with a new team owned by Foster Gillett. "I really don't know why Kimi would partner with people who continually fail with sports franchises," Evernham told Auto123.com. "I don't know how they could leave with so many unpaid bills and return to the sport," Evernham added. Evernham says he was not paid over $19USD million and brought a lawsuit against his former partner earlier this year in a state court in North Carolina.

NaBUru38 · 30 Mar 2011, 13:07 (Ref:2855879)

But what about Nascar's substance consume policy? :P

rustyinsthoz · 30 Mar 2011, 13:39 (Ref:2855900)

April 1st has come early this year?

fieldodreams79 · 30 Mar 2011, 14:17 (Ref:2855923)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

But what about Nascar's substance consume policy? :P

Ask Randy LaJoie and Jeremy Mayfield.

Knowlesy · 31 Mar 2011, 00:06 (Ref:2856148)

I don't think Montoya and Kimi exactly fell out. They were hardly buddies, because Kimi is mute, but hatred? Nah.

I reckon JPM would welcome Kimi to NASCAR quite honestly.

fieldodreams79 · 31 Mar 2011, 02:05 (Ref:2856163)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I reckon JPM would welcome Kimi to NASCAR quite honestly.

With Taz and Kenny, I agree that John Paul would want all the fer-ners he (and they) can get.

It's going to be great. I hope he moves up quick and succeeds where Jackie V and Mr Ashely Judd failed.

FPV8U · 31 Mar 2011, 02:10 (Ref:2856164)

Really looking forward to seeing his first truck race, i think he could d very well if he drops WRC and get stuck into the world or NASCAR.

**gomick** · 31 Mar 2011, 04:43 (Ref:2856183)

He is only doing 8 wrc events this year, so plenty of time for trucks...

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