Jenson Button will make his NASCAR debut later this month at Circuit of the Americas, the primary of three Cup Sequence races scheduled for the previous Method One world champion.

Button places two former F1 champions within the subject for the March 26 race on the everlasting street course in Austin, Texas. Kimi Räikkönen introduced Wednesday he’ll race there for Trackhouse Racing.

“Two F1 world champions in a NASCAR race. Who would have ever predicted that?” Button informed The Related Press on Thursday. “Lots of people suppose I am loopy for doing this as a result of it is so completely different, however that is why I like the problem of it. For me, it isn’t about how fast the automobile is, it is about how shut the racing could be.

“Within the Cup Sequence, the racing is superior. It is undoubtedly going to be a shock to the system, however a toe within the water, so to talk, and hopefully assist me be extra aggressive the subsequent time I do it.”

Button put collectively his three-race cope with assist from longtime associate Mobil 1, which paired him with Stewart-Haas Racing for advertising and marketing and promotional assist. Mobil 1 has a longstanding relationship with SHR co-owner Tony Stewart.

Button will drive the No. 15 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing — an association much like how SHR collaborated with Ware’s staff a yr in the past to run then-reserve driver Ryan Preece in a pair of Cup races.

Button can be scheduled to enter NASCAR’s inaugural road course race, scheduled for downtown Chicago in July, and the street course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August. Rick Ware Racing would be the listed staff for all three of Button’s entries.

Though he is been introduced as one of many drivers for NASCAR’s particular entry within the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Button informed AP that his three-race street course deal has nothing to do with the Storage 56 challenge. As an alternative, he mentioned it stems from a love of NASCAR he’s sure developed from watching the film “Days of Thunder” in 1990.

“I would not have had NASCAR on the TV within the U.Okay. We had 4 channels, and we undoubtedly did not have NASCAR,” Button mentioned. “I hate most motorsports films, however as a 10-year-old, I cherished that film, it was wonderful. It was like, ‘That is what I wish to be a part of!’ However being so removed from America, it was by no means going to be for me.”

Or so he thought.

Button, the 2009 F1 champion, ended his 17-year profession after the 2016 season and transitioned right into a tv position and infrequently raced in varied sequence. He drove sports activities vehicles within the Japanese Tremendous GT Sequence’ GT500 class and gained the 2018 championship, did 5 races from within the FIA World Endurance Championship that included the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Baja 1000 in 2019.

He has carried out some karting lately, however his final aggressive race was in GP3 in 2020. His remaining F1 race was in 2017, when he subbed for Fernando Alonso, who skipped the Monaco Grand Prix to enter the Indianapolis 500.

Nearly all of Button’s racing has been supported by Mobil 1, which was his sponsor for 14 of his 15 profession F1 victories and the Tremendous GT championship. Bored and keen to present a NASCAR an opportunity, he requested Mobil 1 if there was any risk it may occur.

The prevailing relationship with Stewart made it potential.

“We’re thrilled to have fun Jenson Button as he makes his debut within the NASCAR Cup Sequence and assist him on his journey to creating considered one of his racing goals a actuality,” mentioned Rob Shearer on behalf of Mobil 1. “We’re pushed by the love of driving and dedicated to serving to extra individuals get behind the wheel, wherever they could be.”

Stewart, who’s a multi-discipline racer with titles in NASCAR, IndyCar and dash vehicles, is worked up to look at Button try a brand new sequence. Stewart, who turns 52 in Might, is working a full season of NHRA drag racing this yr.

Button, who turned 43 in January, has carried out a wide range of crossover promotions with Stewart on behalf of Mobil 1 through the years.

“It is at all times a problem to strive a brand new racing self-discipline, and the most effective factor you possibly can deliver to a brand new alternative like that is an open thoughts,” Stewart mentioned. “Jenson has been doing that his whole profession. These F1 vehicles evolve yearly, and Jenson at all times discovered a technique to adapt. And when he received out of F1, he jumped into sports activities vehicles and gained one other championship.

“He is new to NASCAR, however he is not new to racing. That is going to be enjoyable for all of us, and we’re very appreciative of Mobil 1 for making it occur.”