autoevolution
 

Mattias Ekstrom to Make Oval Debut

The Richmond Sprint Cup race next week will be of significant importance for Mattias Ekstrom, who will experience for the first time how it's like to race in an oval aboard the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota. This is also the second time the driver has a NASCAR experience, following his debut earlier this year for the Red Bull team.

Ekstrom will climb aboard the Toyota replacing Reed Sorenson, who in turn replaced Brian Vickers, the driver who earlier this year was diagnosed with blood cloths. The DTM series will however not be left aside by Ekstrom, who will get behind the wheel of the Audi A4 at Oschersleben next week.

Ekstrom, who has been testing with Red Bull Racing Team at Gresham Motorsports Park and North Wilkesboro Speedway, got into his first NASCAR race In June, at the Infineon Raceway. The Swede lead seven laps and finished 21st. On May 23, the driver scored his first DTM Championship race in 2010 at Valencia. He currently ranks fifth in the DTM standings and has 14 career wins.

"To do a race on an oval is something different - it's a lot of laps and a lot of cars,"
said Ekstrom. "Racing in Richmond will be one of the biggest tasks of my life so far, but I feel I am ready for the challenge."

"Mattias did a great job in Sonoma, and continues to impress at the oval track testing sessions,"
added Red Bull Racing's Jay Frye. "He has earned this opportunity, showing continued improvement every time he is behind the wheel."
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories