When NASCAR drivers at the California racetrack, they will come face to face with an Australian used car salesman.
Supercar gun Will Brown is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the No.33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet when he takes to Sonoma Raceway on Monday (AEST).
The 26-year-old Toowoomba man announced himself in the upcoming first practice, claiming the third fastest time to edge out RCR team-mates and veteran drivers Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch.
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Brown, who leads the Supercars championship by a massive 136 points over Triple Eight teammate Brock Feeney, admits he’s still pinching himself after landing in NASCAR.
“Yes, my used car sales numbers are down so dad might be a little bit pissed off working without a salesman, but some great opportunities have come up,” Brown told AAP.
“It’s a little surreal. It’s probably just starting to settle in now, but I don’t think I’ll notice until I’m out on the track.”
Brown’s Triple Eight predecessor and three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen will act as an observer over the weekend.
Van Gisbergen, who competes full-time in the second-tier Xfinity Series, took the checkered flag in Chicago to become the first driver in 60 years to win in his NASCAR debut.
Asked if he intends to do the same in Sonoma, Brown remains realistic about his chances.
“I don’t feel any pressure to do it again. It was pretty special what he did there,” Brown said.
“I don’t want to take anything away from him, but it was a straight track that was something new for these drivers.
“It was a track that they had never raced at before, whereas Sonoma is a track that NASCAR drivers are very familiar with.
“To finish is a big goal, but if we can get into the top 10 it will be a good day.”
Brown will not be the only Supercars driver making his debut in the series, with Tickford Racing’s Cam Waters behind the wheel of the No.60 FK Racing Stage 60 Ford.
Waters was 35th in the 38-car field during practice, surviving a wild spin after hitting the ground near the first turn.
“It’s a little weird because we’re on two different teams, so whoever gets the best setup,” Brown said.
“We’d both like to fight each other, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m not focusing too much on that side at the moment.”
Qualifying starts from 8am on Sunday (AEST), while Monday’s 350km race starts at 5.30am (AEST).
