Michael Waltrip Takes Trulli's NASCAR Test Seriously

Even though Formula One veteran Jarno Trulli made it very clear that his NASCAR test later this month will be simply “for fun”, the Michael Waltrip Racing organization seems to take the outing very seriously. Of course, there are little chances that the Italian driver will fall in love with driving in ovals at 35 years of age, but that isn't to mean the MWR crew won't act as professional as they can during next week's testing.

Trulli is scheduled to drive the MWR-prepared Toyota Camry on November 16 thru 17 at the half-mile New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. The preparation for this test took place back when Toyota was still an active team in Formula One. Although they've announced retirement from the F1, Trulli is still a Toyota driver until the end of the year.

Although his focus is now clearly on securing another racing job in the Great Circle, Trulli has to go ahead with the NASCAR test as initially planned. And we bet it won't be that fun either, as Trulli's mind will most likely be elsewhere when doing the test.

“I don't know what Jarno's plans are. I know he is just doing it for fun, but I know that it's going to be important for him to do it. He's a race car driver, he'll want to be as fast as anyone and so we're going to make sure that he has all the support that he needs to be able to accomplish that,” said Waltrip in an interview with British magazine Autosport.

Trulli will first get a taste of NASCAR action during the Phoenix round on Sunday – when he's expected to attend the race in the MWR garage – and after that head to Florida for the scheduled testing mileage.