Tony Stewart set to run NASCAR demo laps at COTA

Two Haas F1 drivers are set to jump into the NASCAR race car at Circuit of the Americas as well; Stewart’s first stock car drive since 2016

This weekend, F1 rolls into Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas. The track is a 3.426-mile road course purpose built for Formula One.

On Thursday, NASCAR demonstration laps will take place at COTA between 12-1 p.m. CDT. It’s nor the first time a NASCAR racecar makes laps around the American F1 course. Previously, Martin Truex Jr did a seat swap with a V8 Supercar driver.

Tony Stewart will be one of the three drivers to turn laps in the machine. It will be his first time behind the wheel of a stock car since November 20, 2016 when he ended his career at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Stewart will drive the No. 14 Haas Automation Ford Mustang from Stewart-Haas Racing. The car will come fitted with a passenger seat, for F1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean.

Tony Stewart 14 NASCAR race car for Circuit of the Americas
Tony Stewart 14 NASCAR race car for Circuit of the Americas

Tony Stewart on his return to a stock car at COTA

“It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s been three years since I last drove a stock car, but seeing some of these road-course races – especially the Roval at Charlotte – have piqued my interest a bit, so this is a good way to sort of satisfy that hunger,” said Tony Stewart.

“I’ve never been to COTA. All I know about it is what I’ve seen on TV and on my iRacing simulator. I kind of like that. Even after two decades in NASCAR, there’s still new stuff to experience. I haven’t driven that racetrack and Kevin and Romain haven’t ever driven a stock car. We’ll figure it out together.”

Tony Stewart is retired from NASCAR Cup Series competition. But, he’s far from retired from racing.

“People sometimes say, ‘We miss seeing you behind the wheel,” and I’m like, ‘Well, you’re going to the wrong places now’,” Stewart said of his dirt racing ventures.

“I’m racing 100 times a year. You’ve just got to come watch me in a different car.”

On Thursday and Friday night, Tony Stewart will be on the track in the Texas Sprint Car Nationals.

“It’s the best of both worlds for me,” said Stewart.

“I get to be with our NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series teams during the day, but each night I get to go over to the Dirt Track.”

“It’s fun for our crew guys too. They’re racers who have dirt-track blood in their veins. They come over and watch the race. It just makes for a perfect weekend.”

Kevin Magnussen at the dirt track
Kevin Magnussen at the dirt track

Kevin Magnussen on driving a NASCAR racecar

This isn’t his first time around in an exhibition run with Tony Stewart. Last year, Magnussen found himself behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car at Carolina Speedway.

When the F1 driver climbed behind the wheel of a dirt sprint car, it was filmed for a NETFLIX special on F1.

Related: Dirt Racing on NETFLIX; F1 driver pilots Tony Stewart’s dirt sprint car

“I found my feet in that sprint car last October pretty quickly thanks to his advice, and also thanks to him jumping in the car and showing how it’s done before I got in,” Kevin Magnussen said of his trip to Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina

“I had a great time with Tony. He’s a great driving instructor and he knows his way around these things. His experience and knowledge when it comes to stock cars is probably just as impressive.”

Magnussen hasn’t driven a stock car before. The closest thing he’s experienced is a DTM machine.

“A DTM car is very aerodynamic,” Magnussen said. “They have a lot of downforce. A stock car hardly has any downforce. So, I don’t have any idea how it’ll be.”

“I’ve never driven a NASCAR before. I’m pretty certain it’s going to be very different to the other car I drive around COTA. It’s going to be a very interesting experience. A NASCAR is such an iconic racecar. I’ve always been eager to try one.”

“Of course, it’s usually in its element on an oval, but they do race on road courses, as well. It’ll be interesting to have a go and have a bit of fun,” Magnussen concluded.

Romain Grosjean - F1 Driver
Romain Grosjean – F1 Driver

Romain Grosjean on driving the NASCAR racecar

The HAAS F1 Team has two pilots. Both of them will take a stab behind the wheel of the NASCAR racecar.

“I think we just need to slam the brakes a bit earlier than we do with a Formula One car,” said Romain Grosjean said.

“We’ll see how the engine responds to throttle application. I can’t wait. The sound of it’s going to be great.”

“I think it’s going to be a good experience. I think having Tony Stewart helping us and giving us advice is going to be bloody amazing,” Grosjean added.

Tony Stewart and Cole Custer - NASCAR
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, stands with team owner Tony Stewart during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2018 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Tony Stewart to be inducted into Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame

Tony Stewart has been granted membership into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2020. He will be officially inducted on Jan. 31, 2020.

But, the acknowledgments don’t stop there. On Saturday, Stewart will be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame.

“It does mean a lot to me,” said Stewart about this most recent accolade. “It’s nothing you think about as a driver. It’s not your aspiration while you’re driving to be in the Hall of Fame.”

“When you’re a driver, all you want to do is win big races and win championships, and to still have that opportunity and still be able to race and compete at the same time as we’re joining the Hall of Fame is pretty cool,” Stewart concluded.

More

Dirt Racing on NETFLIX

Stewart, Dale Jr on cheating in racing

Stewart punches nagging dirt racing fan after race (Video)

Tony Stewart says drivers with personalty and some dirt tracks would help NASCAR return to popularity

Tony Stewart says it’s hard for NASCAR to stay ahead of the teams in regards to rules and policing the rule book

Stewart comments on the future of NASCAR

Dirt late model driver Tim McCreadie recalls several times where Tony Stewart has helped him out

Links

Tony Stewart | Stewart-Haas RacingTony Stewart Racing | Kevin Magnussen | Romain Grosjean | Circuit of the Americas | Texas Motor SpeedwayCarolina Speedway | Haas F1 Team | NASCAR

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