Jarno Trulli to NASCAR

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Originally Posted by jens

But generally I'm wondering, what is it so attractive about NASCAR that several drivers with F1 background are going to test there - also Salo and Piquet Jr. It looks like NASCAR is pushing hard to attract well-known names from other continents to make the series more attractive world-wide.

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After F1, NASCAR drivers probably make more money than drivers from any other series. Not sure where the Rally drivers fit in in the money pecking order, but I imagine it's harder to get a "seat" there than in NASCAR.

It isn't NASCAR that is "pushing hard" to attract well-known names, it's the well-known names that are pushing hard to get to NASCAR.

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Originally Posted by Lee Roy

I remember people saying the same thing about Montoya.
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Fair enough point, BUT, Montoya was well versed with the American racing scene and an Indy 500 winner.

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Originally Posted by acescribe

Fair enough point, BUT, Montoya was well versed with the American racing scene and an Indy 500 winner.

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Montoya was in CART and race in the Indy 500 once. That has nothing to do with NASCAR. Comparing the two stretches the point to breaking.

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Originally Posted by Garry Walker

Attractive? When you are not wanted in F1 anymore, thats when you do NASCAR.

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Or DTM, or Le Mans...

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Originally Posted by Lee Roy

It isn't NASCAR that is "pushing hard" to attract well-known names, it's the well-known names that are pushing hard to get to NASCAR.

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Well, less than a decade ago basically all drivers in NASCAR were Americans and no F1 drivers went into NASCAR after their F1 careers, so something must have changed mean-time. Popularity of NASCAR + higher salaries? F1 -> NASCAR is clearly a relatively new phenomenon.

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Originally Posted by jens

Well, less than a decade ago basically all drivers in NASCAR were Americans and no F1 drivers went into NASCAR after their F1 careers, so something must have changed mean-time. Popularity of NASCAR + higher salaries? F1 -> NASCAR is clearly a relatively new phenomenon.

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F1 drivers used to go to "Indy Car" (Emmerson Fittipaldi and Mansel for example), but that's no longer a viable series financially. NASCAR is.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79324

the only attraction to these guys is the salary.
it takes an adjustment to become a NASCAR driver
longer races, more races, longer season, heavy lumbering cars etc, etc

and that's just the racing. Then there is all the promotional obligations and stuff which are just nuts, and a governing body that's a dictatorship and treats the drivers like well paid gladiators, etc. etc. etc

a switch to NASCAR is good for the finances, and terrible for everything else IMO. The man should have made enough money to retire from racing and live a comfortable life.

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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79324
"I want to stress that this is purely an opportunity to experience another category of motorsport for personal enjoyment," said Trulli. "My commitment is 100 per cent to Formula 1."

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Looks like it's a done deal :)

No need for all the hype, he's just looking to 'get behind the wheel' and give it a go. Just a test drive, that's all. And since it is Toyota, both of the team's top brass didn't have a problem.

Besides, didn't Michael Schumacher once tried to do a test drive awhile back, during the off time at the first USGP at Indy. It didn't go well, as he didn't get to actually drive the car.