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$2.70 Billion Worth Erebus Motorsport Owner Eyes NASCAR’s Debut Days After Richard Childress Sealed SVG’s Rival’s RCR Fate

Published 10/02/2023, 10:43 PM EDT

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Success is the paramount aspiration in motorsport racing, and teams relentlessly pursue the formula for victory and championships. This pursuit hinges on the talent of both drivers and the supporting crew. Justin Marks’ Project 91 initiative exemplified this dedication by providing a platform for promising drivers to showcase their abilities. Notably, Australian driver Shane Van Gisbergen stands out as a shining example of this opportunity-driven approach.

A debut win fueled speculation about his potential full-time entry into NASCAR, while also inspiring other teams like Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing to consider giving opportunities to foreign drivers in part-time roles. This strategic shift turned out to be a resounding success, as Richard Childress Racing now plans to allocate their #33 car for some races to SVG’s rival. The NASCAR community was left in awe when the 2.7 billion-dollar company expressed its intent to venture into NASCAR, underscoring the sport’s global appeal and potential for growth.

Erebus Motorsports looking to make their NASCAR entry with RCR

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Following Shane Van Gisbergen’s impressive debut win, another Australian talent emerged in the NASCAR scene. Brodie Kostecki, racing for Richard Childress Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, showcased his potential by qualifying in an impressive 11th position during a road course race. While Aussie drivers typically have less experience on road courses, Kostecki’s strong performance caught the attention of Richard Childress, prompting him to offer the #33 car’s seat for three races next year.

Before his NASCAR venture, Brodie Kostecki had already made a name for himself in the motorsport world. Driving for Erebus Motorsport from 2020, he secured six wins in the Supercar Championship. Kostecki’s entry into NASCAR not only inspired RCR but also fueled Erebus Motorsport’s interest in the sport. Erebus plans to participate in select NASCAR races in 2024, capitalizing on their relationship with RCR and Kostecki’s eagerness to explore new racing challenges.

Erebus Motorsport’s CEO, Barry Ryan, emphasized the fruitful partnership between the two teams, which began with an introduction from Image Racing’s Terry Wyhoon through RCR engineer Andrew Dickerson. Ryan believes that this expansion is a logical step forward and provides valuable opportunities for Kostecki without him having to leave Erebus.

As per Autoaction.com, Ryan said, “It is something we’ve talked about for a while, and I’ve always told Betty (team founder Betty Klimenko) that it should be something we look at.”

He continued, “But I think having a couple of mechanics and maybe George or Tom in the pit box with another crew chief guiding them and contributing to engineering and strategic decisions would be an amazing experience, and that can only make us better here.

While Richard Childress Racing eagerly welcomes Brodie Kostecki, there are doubts about this decision from some NASCAR insiders.

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NASCAR insider reveals the formidable challenge ahead for Aussie driver

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During a recent episode of GoPRNLive, host Brett McMillan engaged in a discussion with Lewis Frank regarding Brodie Kostecki’s decision to enter NASCAR. Lewis Frank drew attention to the challenges faced by drivers transitioning from road racing to NASCAR’s oval tracks, citing examples like Marcos Ambrose and Sam Hornish Jr.

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Frank acknowledged Kostecki’s commendable road racing skills but stressed that oval racing demands a unique skill set and significant adjustments, pointing out that history has shown that the transition from Australian road racing to NASCAR’s oval tracks can be a formidable challenge. He pointed out that while Kostecki’s three-race opportunity with RCR is a positive sign, the transition is far from easy.

“So, should be interesting. But, it’s a big step so we’ll have to see about what happens with people who come over from the only road course experience,” Frank said.

He also highlighted the difference in team dynamics, noting that RCR is currently on an upward trajectory, which could impact Kostecki’s journey from part-time fill-in to competing on ovals.

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Written by:

Moinakhtar Akhunji

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Moinakhtar Akhunji is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. With a love for racing spanning almost a decade, he brings his passion and expertise to every article he writes. Growing up as an automobile enthusiast, he quickly developed a deep appreciation for the technical and competitive aspects of both F1 and NASCAR.
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Edited by:

Sharan Nair