Nascar legend to race in NZ sprint car series

Nascar legend Tony Stewart will race in New Zealand this year.

The 46- year- old three- time NASCAR Cup winner will contest the Porter Hire International Sprint Car Series in early December.

The series begins on December 9 at Vodafone Speedway — Western Springs in Auckland before heading to Robertson Holden Speedway Palmerston North for a midweek meeting ahead of a return to Auckland the following weekend.

Stewart will attend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Award Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas in the first week of there is no respite during the actual race, as drivers are battling each other all through the field.

“In open wheel racing you kind of attack in the first few laps and then wait and see how things settle. Here, there is always pressure from behind and you’re also putting pressure on the guys in front of you.

“There i s a lot of technique to driving these cars as there is not a lot December before grabbing his helmet and race suit to head to New Zealand for his first ever visit.

“This has taken months to put this deal together“, said promoter Greg Mosen.

“Tony has an extremely busy schedule, so getting this together is going to be great for the profile of Speedway here in New Zealand“he added.

Stewart will be piloting his Rush Truck Centers Artic Cat J& J Sprint Car which is being shipped late October to ensure it arrives here in time. Jimmy Carr is traveling with Tony to ensure the car is up to the task. of downforce so you’re constantly having to work. The level and skill of the drivers i s incredible and it’s insanely competitive. One- tenth of second can move you from 20th to 14th.

“It’s a different kind of racing with it being so close in the whole field. It’s a lot of fun though and one of the best racing there is — it’s exciting,” said de Silvestro.