Mattias Ekstrom to drive for Red Bull Racing at Richmond
Mattias Ekstrom will make his second start for Red Bull Racing when NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series travels to Richmond for Saturday night's Air Guard 400. // LaDon George, NASCAR Illustrated
German touring division champion Mattias Ekstrom will get his second NASCAR Sprint Cup start this weekend as he will drive the No. 83 Red Bull Racing car at Richmond International Raceway.
Ekstrom finished 21st in his Cup debut in June at Infineon Raceway while competing for the team. He replaces Reed Sorenson, the most recent driver in the No. 83, whose full-time driver Brian Vickers was sidelined in May with blood clots.
The 32-year-old Swede has tested with Red Bull at Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park and North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway,
“Mattias did a great job in Sonoma, and continues to impress at the oval-track testing sessions,” said Red Bull General Manager Jay Frye. “He has earned this opportunity, showing continued improvement every time he is behind the wheel.”
Ekstrom has one victory and is fifth in points in the German road-racing series this year.
“To do a race on an oval is something different – it’s a lot of laps and a lot of cars,” said Ekstrom, who is in his ninth year as a Red Bull-funded athlete. “Racing in Richmond will be one of the biggest tasks of my life so far, but I feel I am ready for the challenge.”
Saturday night's Air Guard 400 is the 26th of 36 races on this year's Cup schedule.
