Formula One’s Nelson Piquet Jr. coming to NASCAR
Nelson Piquet Jr. of Brazil and Renault is seen in the paddock following qualifying for the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at Istanbul Park on June 6, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. // Mark Thompson, Getty Images
Nelson Piquet Jr., a former Formula One driver who has tested a truck for Red Horse Racing, could be coming to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010.
The 24-year-old driver, who was caught up as part of a scandal where he deliberately crashed in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to set up a scenario where Renault teammate Fernando Alonso went on to win a race, posted a statement on his Web site indicating he will compete in NASCAR.
“I have spent the last few months carefully evaluating my options for this year,” Piquet said. “I had to choose a path, and it was a difficult decision to make. Being successful in Formula One was always my goal, but I have learned that happiness is just as important as ambition, and after my first 18 months in F1 did not go as planned, I have decided to focus on something different and have chosen to take a route in America.
“NASCAR is hugely challenging, and nobody has ever come in as an outsider before and gone on to win it. It will be the ultimate challenge. I will let you know more details on the exact program soon.”
Piquet is one of several foreign drivers who have tested NASCAR vehicles and are considering racing in NASCAR. The Brazilian is the son of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet.
“This will be an awesome new challenge for me and a healthy one,” Piquet Jr. said. “I have always been open to new challenges, and I will be putting everything I have into this. I have found a good group of people that are really willing to help me in my career, and I am grateful that they are there for me. I think it will be a positive environment and a good life experience. I am sure this year is going to be fantastic, and I am very excited at the prospect of my future.”
