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“Thank You NASCAR”: Returnee Kimi Raikkonen’s Much Awaited COTA Face Off Against Old Enemy Has Fans Holding Their Breath

Published 03/10/2023, 5:00 AM EST

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Jenson Button surprised many fans a few days ago when he announced his entry into the 24-hour Le Mans. He got the entry through NASCAR’s special entry called the Garage 56 project. While at it, he attended a NASCAR race with his family, fuelling the rumors of him joining the Cup Series. All those rumors are now confirmed as NASCAR’s official handle recently made the announcement of his multiple race entries that will start with COTA.

Jenson is not the only former F1 champion that will take part in the cup series, though. His former grid mate and 2007 drivers’ champion Kimi Raikkonen will join him as well. Kimi announced his entry yesterday on Instagram revealing his signing with Track House Racing. The Iceman will feature at the race in COTA as well.

NASCAR gets F1 fans mighty excited with the Jenson Button-Kimi Raikkonen face-off

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Button, according to NASCAR’s Instagram announcement, will race in 3 fixtures, starting with the legendary COTA. It is worth mentioning that COTA was the last venue Raikkonen won an F1 race while still racing for Ferrari.

Speaking on locking horns with Kimi once again, as quoted by Crash.net, Jenson said, “Two F1 world champions in a NASCAR race. Who would have ever predicted that?”

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“A lot of people think I’m crazy for doing this because it’s so different, but that’s why I love the challenge of it. For me, it’s not about how quick the car is, it’s about how close the racing can be. In the Cup Series, the racing is awesome. It’s definitely going to be a shock to the system, but a toe in the water, so to speak, and hopefully help me be more competitive the next time I do it.”

 

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Take a look at how fans reacted to the announcement on Instagram.

“Jenson and Kimi racing each other once again? Thank you Nascar!”

“Taylor, Kimi, and now Jenson?? This is going to be a fun weekend”

“F1 fans missing out”

Some fans predicted the COTA fixture to be a full house after the Raikkonen-Button face-off announcement.

“Kimi and Jenson???? COTA will be stacked 🔥”

As F1’s popularity has grown in the last few years in America, so has Daniel Ricciardo’s. Many fans demanded that the Cup Series rope the Australian in as well as he is currently taking a year off from regular action from F1.

“Now let’s get Danny Ric in one”

“Imagine Danny Ric sign to race in COTA too 👀”

“Dude, COTA is gonna have Kimi Raikkonen, Jordan Taylor, and now Jenson Button! AND no stage breaks! I hope this race has lots of eyeballs this year”

“Two Champions of the World. Kimi + Jenson 😱😱🔥🔥🏆🏆”

Some fans predicted Lewis Hamilton’s entry into the competition soon.

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“Him and Kimi at COTA? Next thing you know Lewis Hamilton will enter also.”

“JENSON AND KIMI!?!? LETS GOOOO”

Watch This Story: From Drunk Gala to Dry Responses: Kimi Raikkonen’s Funniest Moments

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“Henson and Kimi at the same time??? Huge!”

Will you tune in to watch your favorite F1 champs take to the track once again against each other? Who will you root for? Do let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Nischay Rathore

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Nischay Rathore is a Formula 1 Author at EssentiallySports. Being a law graduate, he has worked at the Supreme Court of India as well as the High Court of Delhi. However, due to his adherent love for sports, he has now set out to start his journey into the world of Sports Journalism.
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