NASCAR eyes Russian driver

NASCAR is beginning to formulate its international expansion plans by bringing in drivers one-by-one from foreign countries. We have seen drivers from Mexico, Brazil, Japan and soon Russia getting rides in NASCAR. This AutoWeek article says, NASCAR could have a Russian driver in the next two years if the ambitions of sports car driver Alexei Vasiliev come to fruition. The 32-year-old, who races a Ferrari 550 Maranello in Europe, wants to be on the grid in a NASCAR division next season. Vasiliev would then like to graduate to the Nextel Cup. Vasiliev tested the Douglas Racing team’s Goody’s Dash car at the Darlington and Hickory ovals last month. He has plans to do one ARCA race before the end of this season in preparation for more events in 2006. “NASCAR seems to be very open to having a Russian driver," Vasiliev said. “Fifteen years ago that would not have been possible."