Former IndyCar driver Dan Clarke will make his debut in a NASCAR series when he races in the Nationwide event at Watkins Glen this weekend.
The 27-year-old was hoping to compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this year, but that plan was canned after a sponsor setback. He had competed in the SCCA Pro Racing Pirelli World Challenge last weekend at Mid-Ohio. Clarke will finally make his stock car debut this weekend, however, after securing a deal to race with the No. 52 Chevrolet from Means Racing.
"This is a great moment for me," said Clarke. "I've enjoyed a lot of success in open-wheel formula racing but I've wanted to try the NASCAR route for a while now.
"I thought I would be racing full-time this year in Canadian stock cars, but that didn't work out and I had to move on. Now I have a shot at the NASCAR Nationwide Series, which is an even bigger opportunity and I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about the weekend."