As announced back in December 2009, Nelson Piquet Jr. completed his second NASCAR test, after taking a Red Horse Racing Camping World Truck Series machine for a spin on the New Smyrna, Florida track.
After no prospects opened up for him in Formula 1 and after refusing one offer, as he says, the Brazilian-born may make his NASCAR debut from as early as the Daytona race in February.
“I could’ve been there if I wanted to. A team offered me to be there. I just thought I was sick and tired of all of the stuff over there. I just took a decision of starting a new step in my career and a new challenge in coming to NASCAR," Piquet Jr. said.
"For a lot of people who are outside of America, it’s a downgrade. But for people that really understand -- maybe it’s a downgrade in technology of the car -- but in terms of career, of how big the sport is in a lot of ways it’s even a tougher step than F1.”
"What was the deciding factor? I think the biggest …point is that I’m having a lot of people behind me helping me, wanting me to be here. A lot of people that I trust and I’m liking.”
Piquet says he is close to signing a deal with one NASCAR team, but nothing is finalized yet. He hopes to sign a contract with Red Horse Racing.
“I think I’ll really feel the excitement in the first race. To me, it’s still testing and everybody is still very friendly and everything. I think when we reach a race weekend that’s going to be when the real excitement is going to come and I’m going to really feel what the real thing is.”
After no prospects opened up for him in Formula 1 and after refusing one offer, as he says, the Brazilian-born may make his NASCAR debut from as early as the Daytona race in February.
“I could’ve been there if I wanted to. A team offered me to be there. I just thought I was sick and tired of all of the stuff over there. I just took a decision of starting a new step in my career and a new challenge in coming to NASCAR," Piquet Jr. said.
"For a lot of people who are outside of America, it’s a downgrade. But for people that really understand -- maybe it’s a downgrade in technology of the car -- but in terms of career, of how big the sport is in a lot of ways it’s even a tougher step than F1.”
"What was the deciding factor? I think the biggest …point is that I’m having a lot of people behind me helping me, wanting me to be here. A lot of people that I trust and I’m liking.”
Piquet says he is close to signing a deal with one NASCAR team, but nothing is finalized yet. He hopes to sign a contract with Red Horse Racing.
“I think I’ll really feel the excitement in the first race. To me, it’s still testing and everybody is still very friendly and everything. I think when we reach a race weekend that’s going to be when the real excitement is going to come and I’m going to really feel what the real thing is.”