AUSTIN, Tex: As the NASCAR Cup Series is set to embrace its first road course of the 2023 season, this weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas has certainly brought headliners.
From Motorsports great Kimi Raikkonen in Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative to IndyCar driver Conor Daly to IMSA standout Jordan Taylor filling in for the injured Chase Elliott – each is making their noise of their own.
A lot of eyes, however, are focused on Jenson Button the former Formula 1 driver who is set to tackle a stock car for the first of a limited Cup Series schedule aboard the No. 15 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang in a collaborative effort between Rick Ware Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Button impressed during practice on Friday at the famed Austin, Texas road course.
Mounting 13 laps around the 3-mile plus road course, Button saw his No. 15 entry climb inside the top-15 before setting for 28th. The Frome, England native didn’t mind where he landed on the speed chart.
Instead, Button has been more focused on getting comfortable for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
“It’s lovely to be here,” said Button following practice Friday afternoon. “This is a great opportunity for me. I never thought, in my wildest dreams, I’d be racing in a Cup car. So, this is a lovely opportunity. I got to thank Mobil 1 for it. As you probably know, I’ve been doing quite a bit of driving and stock car racing at Le Mans for later this year. But we don’t really have so much competition in that, so this is exciting. I get to race against 30 other crazy guys out there.
“I’m really, really looking forward to the challenge – and it definitely is a big challenge. Jumping in the car for a 50-minute practice session – and that’s it – before we go qualifying and racing. It’s tough I think for anyone who is not used to big, heavy cars with low downforce. I’m enjoying the process. The team has been great, and I’m looking forward to a good, solid weekend.
“The car felt pretty good out there, and I think tomorrow in qualifying – when it really counts to get a lap in – there’s a bit more pressure. We’ll see how it goes. Setup wise working with my guys, improving it… yeah, we’re going in the right direction.”
While like any driver – Button is hoping for a successful debut on Sunday, he is keeping his expectations in check. And not only for the race but qualifying too.
The NASCAR Cup Series field is no Formula 1, but Button accepts he is racing against some of the best stock car drivers in the world and that doesn’t go unnoticed.
He also sought out more than just a single race aboard the No. 15 Ford Mustang. One race isn’t enough to find your footing and be competitive. By race three this summer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Button is hoping to find himself in a good place.
Sandwiched in-between Circuit of the Americas and Indianapolis is the new street course on the streets of Chicago in July.
“I don’t expect to go out there and qualify top-three tomorrow, or to finish top-three on Sunday,” added Button. “I expect a challenging race, but a race where I’m going to learn a lot as well. That’s why I wanted to do three races this year – one race isn’t enough.
“I need the experience of here at COTA before I move to Chicago and lastly, Indianapolis. There’s no reason for me not to be competitive, but it just takes a bit of time. These guys have driven these cars for years. They know the nuances and what makes them work, which just takes a little time for me.”
When asked if he expects to be competitive in the sixth Cup Series race of the season, Button didn’t have a simple answer. Instead, he was honest and plans to “roll with the punches.”
“Driving a car is something I’ve done my whole life,” he explained. “So, I will be competitive in terms of our race speed. But as you said, it’s the other side of it where I have no experience – and that’s being six abreast going into Turn 1 and tapping here and there.
“As I noticed here in practice, people don’t move out of the way when they’re on a slow lap and you’re on a quick lap. There’s a lot to learn. It’s a very, very different sport than what I’m used to. I’ll go with it… roll with the punches. I look forward to the challenge.”
No matter what happens on Sunday or down the road, Button has praised his NASCAR experience so far – especially the atmosphere where teams, drivers and crew alike have extended a hand to make the 43-year-old driver feel welcomed.
“Well, this was one reason why I was interested in racing in NASCAR was because, from the outside, it looks like a real family atmosphere,” sounded Button. “I’m a dad now – I have two kids. I took my son, my wife came along as well to the Coliseum. So, we had a great experience there in seeing the Cup series. And then I took my son again to Fontana to watch, saw a few of the drivers and Corey LaJoie said his son’s named Jenson.
“So, I thought that was quite funny and said, ‘Did you know that I’m actually going to be racing you in a few weeks?’ But it was just a really nice atmosphere. We were invited into peoples’ teams; my son was given a car – a mini-Cup car by one of the teams. It was just so cool.
“The opportunity for your family to be around where you’re racing is something I’m not used to. Formula 1 is very different and comes at it from a very different angle, that you need to be solo and focused on your driving. Where here: You still have some of the best drivers in the world, but they come at it from a different way.
“Family keeps them grounded, keeps them relaxed over race weekends. I really enjoy that family atmosphere, and for people who have never been to a NASCAR race, they need to because it’s that atmosphere that really makes the sport.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email: [email protected]
