Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Kyle Busch and team penalisedPrimera Liga round-up

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Q and A with Jarno TrulliRonaldo close to comeback

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Interest mounts in CanalesQ and A with Nelson Piquet

Patrick fuels NASCAR rumours

Danica Patrick says racing in NASCAR in 2010 remains a possibility, despite the announcement of her new three-year IndyCar deal with Andretti Autosport on Monday.

Although her IndyCar plans are now set in stone, speculation of Patrick making her NASCAR debut next year continued to be fueled on Monday.

An image portraying her with Chevrolet and Nationwide Series logos on her race suit featured temporarily on her website danicaracing.com, before being changed mid-morning for one with IndyCar sponsors.

Earlier in the day during a live TV interview with Fox News, Patrick was asked about her possible move to NASCAR. She reiterated her interest in the series once again, while denying making any announcements on that front just yet.

"I know everybody wants to know that," Patrick said. "I love to drive, I love to race, it's what makes me go and if I got the chance to be able to run in both series I would love that. But if we were announcing, we'd be here with two cars. But we're not."

When asked if NASCAR remained possible despite her new IndyCar deal, she said the door remains open, adding that the very hectic schedule of racing in NASCAR and IndyCars simultaneously would not be something preventing her from making the move.

"Yeah, sure. It's a possibility," she said. "It would be busy. It would be very busy, but like I said I love to race and to be honest, when there's more races on the schedule I almost feel like my life is more predictable and it's almost more calmed because it's very set in stone.

"I would be excited about the challenge but we'll see. We'll leave it there for now."

Earlier this year, Patrick visited Sprint Cup team Stewart Haas Racing, while officials from Nationwide Series team JR Motorsports confirmed they have held talks with the IndyCar star about a possible deal to run her in 2010.

Viola calm on Vargas linkNASCAR boss would welcome Patrick

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Primera Liga round-upKyle Busch and team penalised

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Q and A with Jarno TrulliRonaldo close to comeback

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Interest mounts in CanalesQ and A with Nelson Piquet

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Q and A with Jarno TrulliRonaldo close to comeback

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Kyle Busch and team penalisedPrimera Liga round-up

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Interest mounts in CanalesQ and A with Nelson Piquet

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Q and A with Jarno TrulliRonaldo close to comeback

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Q and A with Nelson PiquetInterest mounts in Canales

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Primera Liga round-upKyle Busch and team penalised

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Q and A with Jarno TrulliRonaldo close to comeback

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Q and A with Nelson PiquetInterest mounts in Canales

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Kyle Busch and team penalisedPrimera Liga round-up

Salo on course for Nationwide season

Mika Salo is on course to take part in next year's NASCAR Nationwide Series after completing a successful first test in a stock car last week.

The veteran of 109 grand prix starts, who has raced GTs since 2003, tested a Sprint Cup-spec Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing at New Smyrna Raceway in Florida last week along with fellow Ex-Toyota F1 man Jarno Trulli.

He believes that the test can be a springboard to a full season in NASCAR's second-tier series in 2010.

"Two things were new to me: driving a big NASCAR and driving on an oval," the 42-year-old Finn told AUTOSPORT. "It felt comfortable in the car from the beginning and I could feel the changes we made to the car.

"It's all about the money. If my sponsors are happy, it will happen. The plan is to learn the racing and learn the tracks in Nationwide and then move up to the Sprint Cup in 2011."

Waltrip serious about Trulli testRonaldo close to comeback

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Kyle Busch and team penalisedPrimera Liga round-up

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Q and A with Nelson PiquetInterest mounts in Canales

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Ronaldo close to comebackQ and A with Jarno Trulli

Martin not focusing on title fight

Mark Martin insists he is not focusing on chasing Jimmie Johnson for the championship heading into the season finale, and reckons his results this year have already gone beyond his own expectations.

While Jimmie Johnson could make NASCAR history by becoming the first driver to win four straight Sprint Cup titles, Mark Martin could still mathematically spring a surprise and beat his team-mate, and become the series' oldest champion at age 50.

Martin needs to overcome a 108-point gap to the reigning champion in order to beat him, while a 25th place or better will be enough for Johnson to clinch, even if Martin wins the season finale.

Nine times in 266 races they have been head-to-head, Martin has been able to gain 108 points or more on Johnson in a single race, including the final race of 2005 where Martin was second and Johnson crashed out.

However, the four-time series runner-up says he is not focusing on the points scenarios, and simply hopes to do his best on the track this weekend.

"I'm not looking over my shoulder or looking ahead, either one," said Martin. "Definitely, I'm sure that we could wind up fourth in the points, which is something no one has even considered. But I'm not thinking about that. I'm neither worried about that or Jimmie.

"I'm excited about going to work and competing in every event there, which to me a practice session is one. I try to win those, too. Every time I strap in that racecar, I'd like to be the fastest dude out there."

Martin, who came back to run a full schedule for Rick Hendrick after doing partial seasons for the past two years, reminded that the championship was not what moved him to make a return this season.

"The reason I took this deal is because I got close to winning a race or two in 2008, and I could just taste it," said Martin. "I really wanted a chance to try to win again before I wasn't able to ever experience that again. That was the motivation for me, taking this opportunity.

"It definitely has turned out to exceed my expectations. I knew that the race team would be awesome. I knew the car would be fast. I just hoped that I would be able to get the job done.

"One of my biggest goals coming into this year was just to be considered a good team-mate, to make a contribution to Hendrick Motorsports so that when the season was over everyone involved would be glad that I, you know, was a part of the organisation. That was probably as important as maybe squeaking out a win for me personally."

The former Roush Fenway racer claims this year has been the best of his life both professionally and on a personal side, regardless of whether he wins the title or not.

"I'm having lots of fun this year," said Martin. "This has been obviously the best year of my life professionally as well as personally. The personal part comes from being happy. I was a very, very happy person in 2008. But that little bit of extra performance that we have been getting on the racetrack in 2009 even made it more awesome.

"An opportunity to be around [Rick] Hendrick and all the fine people, team-mates and people at Hendrick Motorsports, has really made my life rich this year with people and with quality relationships above and beyond any other year that I can ever remember."

Mark Martin will start Sunday's season finale at Homestead from fourth on the grid, while Johnson will lead the field from pole position.

Johnson to keep offensive approachGerrard rues Alonso exit

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Along with Jarno Trulli and Mika Salo, Nelson Piquet Jr was also a visitor at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. AUTOSPORT heard from the Brazilian on Sunday before the Sprint Cup series race.

Q. So how was you Truck series test?

NP: It was fun, it was different. It was what I expected from these cars, but I obviously didn't expect much more, coming from where I came. But it was good. The team helped me a lot; it was good having everybody helping me to give me tips. I'm very thankful for Red Horse, for the whole team. They were very nice.

Q. How different was the car to what you expected?

NP: I did Le Mans before. I did a few races in Brazil, a 1000 kilometres we did with my father and we won. Finished fourth in Le Mans also. Had a little bit of a knowledge but obviously it's much more different. You're in an oval; the car is even much different as I was racing an Aston Martin. So still a little different, but had a bit of a knowledge.

Q. Did the test raise your interest more for NASCAR?

NP: Not only the test. I mean, driving these kind of cars is not really difficult. Actually it's quite simple. It's nothing compared to a Formula One car. But I think the difficult part here is NASCAR, is the racing in completely different.

In F1 if you're quick in the car, it's 70 per cent done, you need to race a little bit but if you're quick you're there.

NASCAR is different. Everybody is quick but you need to know how to race because it's so close, all the cars banging side-doors and touching each other all the time. So, that's the most difficult part to get used to.

Q. Do you like it here?

NP: Yeah, I think the important thing is enjoying the whole environment, not only the driving. But in the race, during the race if you're having fun, is not only by liking the car.

Obviously there's cars much better technologically. An F1 car, what I'm used to is the top of the world. I think as long as you're having fun it doesn't matter if you're racing a go-kart or if you're driving a NASCAR. If you're having fun and competition is good, that's important.

Q. Is this something you're seriously considering for your future?

NP: Obviously I'm trying to have as good as a look as I can over here. Trying to get a good feeling of what everything here is in America in case I have to make a decision to know what I'm going to feel.

I didn't want to take a decision of coming to America without knowing how things work here, so I've been spending these days here meeting drivers, team owners, and racetracks to really know what I'm getting into if I come here.

Q. Speaking to people here, are you getting some good advice?

NP: Well obviously I don't want to jump any stages if I come to America, I want to do it properly. I want to learn from the bottom. Coming from Formula 1 doesn't mean that I can come here and step into a Cup car. Obviously I don't think about that.

I really want to start with my head down and build myself up because it's a completely different kind of racing, you know. I want to arrive here in Cup because I earned it, not because I'm arriving from Formula 1.

Hopefully if I come, I'll start doing the East [Regional Camping World] Series, you know, maybe doing a few dirt races.

Q. How much have you followed Juan Pablo Montoya's progress?

NP: Well I mean. I raced in Europe with him. I've been following when he came to NASCAR, we tried to follow a little bit in Europe what he was doing here. Not very close, but as much as we could. I don't know what conditions he had, or why he struggled so much at the beginning but I mean, probably it was a different world and he was learning.

Q. Do you have a deadline to make your decision about next year?

NP: No, I'm searching for something to do the 24 hours of Daytona. That's my main goal at the moment, and then obviously exploring because if I decide to come here, then I already know what to do.

Q. Are you planning any further NASCAR tests for this year?

NP: No, not really.

Q. Is Formula One still possible in 2010?

NP: I'm close to Force India at the moment but obviously this is being very interesting for me, so I don't know. I'm still in the process of deciding what I'm going to do. Maybe spend one more year in Europe before coming here; it's still all up in the air.

Q. So you're racing at Las Vegas in the Supernational next week?

NP: Yeah, Schumi and Buemi as well, all the world champions, European champions, so it's going to be a very tough race. But I'm looking forward to it.

Q and A with Nelson PiquetInterest mounts in Canales

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.

Ronaldo close to comebackQ and A with Jarno Trulli

Kyle Busch and team penalised

Kyle Busch and his team have been penalised for a technical infraction during last weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Texas, but he can still clinch the title next weekend at Phoenix.

The points leader has been docked 25 points in the drivers' standings, while his team has been docked the same amount in the owners' standings, after officials found an improperly attached weight on the #18 car during the opening day inspection.

Jason Ratcliff, the team's crew chief, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until the end of the year for the rules infringement.

Despite the points loss, Busch can still clinch his maiden NASCAR title next weekend at Phoenix, but he now needs to finish seventh or better on Saturday in order to become champion.

Primera Liga round-upKyle Busch and team penalised

Johnson extends Hendrick deal

Jimmie Johnson has signed an extension of his current contract with Hendrick Motorsports and will race for the team until at least 2015.

The reigning champion will continue his association with the team that gave him the chance to debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2001. They would become one of the most successful organisations ever seen in NASCAR, winning three out of seven championships contested, with a fourth one beckoning this weekend.

"I'm real excited to announce today that we've signed an extension with Jimmie Johnson through the 2015 season," said Rick Hendrick. "We just signed a new deal with [main sponsor] Lowe's through 2013. We're excited about it.

"The key to success I think is keeping people together. This has been a fantastic ride with Jimmie. He and I have said we'd like to retire together. Lowe's has been an unbelievable sponsor. We're just real excited about keeping the whole deal intact. We just wanted to let you know today that's all done."

Hendrick said he is still working on a deal to keep crew chief Chad Knaus alongside Johnson for the foreseeable future. Knaus has been instrumental to the team's success, working with Johnson since the Californian's first full season in 2002.

"Chad has a multi-year deal," said Hendrick. "Chad and I have talked about retiring together. So we're in the process of getting that all papered. But I think our goal, and everybody's on the same page, [is] keeping this thing together for the foreseeable future."

Johnson welcomed his new deal, which comes right before a crucial weekend for him, as he closes on an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series title.

"[I'm] so fortunate to have my team, job, situation at Hendrick Motorsports," said Hendrick. "Lowe's has been nothing but amazing to Hendrick Motorsports, to myself. So very, very excited about the future.

"The only car I've driven in the Cup Series has been a Chevy. It's been a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and a Lowe's Chevrolet. I'm very, very proud of that stuff. Certainly look forward to the future, what the years may bring."

NASCAR boss would welcome PatrickMarquez close to new deal

Stuck dismisses VW NASCAR talk

Volkswagen motorsport head Hans-Joachim Stuck visited the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead this weekend, but denied press reports suggesting the German brand is considering the series as a future platform.

Stuck said he is simply taking advantage of a holiday trip to visit NASCAR. He met with some series officials during the weekend, but was quick to deny any speculation in the American media suggesting that VW saw NASCAR as an option for the near future.

"I'm here number one because I'm a great NASCAR fan and I'm here on holiday," Stuck told AUTOSPORT. "Of course we investigate everything. We're opening a plant here in Chattanooga within the next two years and we're visiting here. I've heard some reports but there have been no talks, nothing about it. Unfortunately when you have a face that is well known, people bring up some ideas.

"I'm enjoying my visit and I will report what's going on. But in any way there has been nothing, no serious talks about coming here."

Stuck praised NASCAR's spectacle and considers it provides the best racing and gives fans value for money. He also perceives the sport as being less political than Formula 1, but said it probably does not fit with Volkswagen's approach to motorsport.

"To me this year NASCAR is the best racing you'd be looking at," said Stuck. "Forty-three cars on the grid, you see what the car is doing, see how they handle, there's no 'BS' talking about diffusers, you know, it's all handled internally and the people see a good race. But that's very difficult for the Germans to accept, that's the biggest problem.

"Here we can't show our technology. So [Volkswagen] would have to understand that this is a marketing work, and this is not an argument that they would accept. So I would say at the moment there's zero chance [of VW coming]."

Stuck revealed that there are serious talks going on with Volkswagen about a possible entry in the NASCAR-owned Grand-Am sportscar series. He reckons the VW group could use its Audi or Lamborghini brands to enter the series as an engine supplier.

"Yes, this is something that we also have already talked [about]," Stuck confirmed. "It would be nice to get an Audi engine into Grand-Am.

"Audi has a V10 engine which I'm driving in the GT series in Europe, and this engine we could put into a Grand-Am car. The problem is it has to be operated with the NASCAR black box [ECU]. Audi is afraid about how this is going to work, so there are talks and I would say the chances are not too bad.

"And if we can get an Audi engine, then we can also get a Lamborghini engine, because they belong to VW and it's the same engine. This is something we're talking about seriously for 2011.

"I like the prototypes there, maybe the cars could be a little bit nicer, but I also like the GT class because we can run the street car."

Stuck also confirmed VW has held talks with IndyCar officials about a possible entry in the series but said no deal is inminent yet.

Agent - No talks for FabianoNASCAR boss would welcome Patrick

Vettel: F1 can learn from NASCAR

Sebastian Vettel believes Formula 1 can learn something from NASCAR after making a visit to the Sprint Cup Series finale at Homestead.

The world championship runner up made his first visit to a NASCAR race courtesy of Red Bull, and got to spend some time with the team's drivers and learn about the series and its appeal in America.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Vettel said F1 should take note of the spectacle NASCAR provides for its fans.

"Here in NASCAR you have more than 100.000 people coming to see the races, it's always a big show," said Vettel. "So I think there's a lot of things we can learn because sometimes that's what people complain about, that Formula 1 is not exciting enough.

"Obviously the cars are very different, so it depends on what you like, but still if you're interested in motorsports, I think you can be very passionate about Formula 1, but I think for the show there are things we can learn.

"Some things will always be different, because Formula 1 is just not NASCAR and NASCAR is not Formula 1, but in America they're very good at how to put the show on and put the focus on the sport, the drivers.

"It's always a huge crowd, always packed and I think this is something we can learn in Europe, to make it more interesting for that many people."

While at Homestead, Vettel spoke with Juan Pablo Montoya about his reasons for switching from F1 to NASCAR, and said he now had a greater understanding of the Colombian's decision.

"In the end he probably didn't feel that comfortable in the world of Formula 1 and now he's here," said Vettel. "He's still the same guy, he seems very happy and it's good after some time to see him again.

"He doesn't have to say anything. You look at his face and you see the man is happy, so that's good. Doesn't matter if it's in Formula 1 or NASCAR."

The German admits to being curious about driving a stock car on an oval, and would like to have the chance to test one day, while stressing that his focus is on F1 for the forseeable future.

"To have a try probably yes [I would like to], and to see how it is on the oval," said Vettel.

"Speaking to Juan and other drivers, obviously the cars are much heavier, lazier, there's a lot more movement, whereas a Formula 1 car is very sharp and reactive and everything happens very fast - you have to catch the car quickly. Here you're sliding and making a lot of movements with the steering wheel. To have a try in a test would be nice."

As well as Vettel, former McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen is also visiting Homestead this weekend as a guest of Penske Racing.

Q and A with Jarno Trulli

AUTOSPORT heard from Jarno Trulli about his NASCAR Sprint Cup test with Michael Waltrip Racing on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.

Q. So are you ready now to go on the track with another 43 cars?

Jarno Trulli: I don't think so, I'm not ready yet. At the beginning it was quite a shock because switching from a Formula 1 car to a NASCAR is big, really big - especially the weight of the car, is big.

I think running like I did here is easy, but running with 43 cars is going to be different, so it would need to take a bit of time and experience. But nevertheless I'm enjoying it, step-by-step, to drive this car, which is moving a lot.

I'm used to a very stiff car, really on the ground. This one has a different way of reacting. In some way I would say it's easier for a Formula 1 driver because time reaction is like very slow here, so I can figure it out. But on the other hand there are a lot of little details than can make you go slow or quick and I'm off still from these details.

Q. Was it easier for Mika Salo to adapt because of his sportscar experience?

JT: Well I can't say if it was easier, because for the first time I jumped in the car, leaving the pits, I was closed for the first time in my life, closed in a cockpit. I was struggling a little bit. In fact, I kept doing lots and lots of laps, because I just need to get used to this feeling. Having your head out in the air gives you a different feeling.

Here you feel it is not fair, because I'm closed. I'm fine, I'm safe, slow, but it's a different matter. It requires quite a driving skill, feeling and understanding all the car and the tyres and the grip level. There are so many factors around that keep changing.

So far, from what I understand, you not only need to be a skilled driver but also a smart person. You need to be thinking about what's going on, so what you need to be changing, is it my driving style, the track is going off, the tyres. There are so many things.

Q. Now that you've driven the car, do you feel this is something you would like to be part of?

JT: It's very exciting. I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

At least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm just enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time.

Q. So was this more a Toyota or a Waltrip test?

JT: It's a Toyota test as much as a Waltrip test. I have to thank a lot Michael Waltrip Racing, these guys who made it happen. At the beginning of last year I visited for the first time a NASCAR race as a guest of TRD, nice people; I met a lot of people. I met [Toyota Sprint Cup Series program manager] Andy Graves and I said well, it would be nice to do a test and it was Kyle Busch who wanted to do a F1 test, so we were trying to arrange a test swapping the cars and it didn't happen.

I was busy flying around. And eventually, with Andy and thanks to MWR this year I had at least a chance to test this car and I'm really enjoying this because it's all brand new. I feel like a young driver, that I need to learn everything from scratch.

Q. Can you imagine yourself racing in a bigger, quicker track like Daytona?

JT: I've heard that there are some speedways that are amazingly quick, difficult, and a big challenge. And this is something interesting for a driver. I've heard that it requires a lot of experience and tricks. I don't think you can step in and do it straight away but I think you can build up pretty quickly.

I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better, like today, I had Trevor [Bayne] here and I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker. I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. Is really difficult.

Q. You've been tipped as a favourite to land a seat with Lotus. Is that what you plan to do next year?

JT: I haven't signed yet, I'm in talks with several teams, and soon I will take my decision. You never know in life. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team.