MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat will make his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard for Team Hezeberg.
“I’m very happy to be able to make my NASCAR Cup Series debut at Indianapolis,” Kvyat said. “I have always been passionate about racing in NASCAR, the top form of motorsport in the United States. NASCAR has always been intriguing to me, as it is a pure form of motorsport to me.”
Kvyat was most recently competing in Formula One, where he raced for Red Bull Racing up until 2020, and a reserve driver for Alpine in 2021.
His F1 career was highlighted by a podium in the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix, becoming the second youngest driver to claim a podium finish at 21 years old.
Kvyat’s debut in the NASCAR Cup Series comes after a hiatus from being behind the wheel, but Kvyat is optimistic about his return to the top levels of motorsports.
“I’m looking forward to being successful in this form of motorsport and I hope to contend for wins and championships in the future,” Kvyat said. “I can’t thank NASCAR, Josh Reaume, Toine Hezemans, Ernst Berg, and everybody at Team Hezeberg enough for the opportunity. The guys at the shop have been working tirelessly to prepare machine and myself for this experience. It will be my first time at Indianapolis, and I am looking forward to seeing it in person. From what I have seen on video, Indianapolis is a challenging circuit, but I’m looking forward to that challenge, along with competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.”
Josh Reaume, Co-owner of Team Hezeberg, is excited about having a worldwide talent behind the wheel, and is positive about the Next-Gen’s capabilities at Indianapolis.
“Daniil is a very talented driver with an amazing amount of open wheel experience. In my opinion, NASCAR is a great spot for Daniil to end up at, especially with the Next-Gen’s capabilities throughout many styles of racing. I’m looking forward to being a part of Daniil’s transition to NASCAR, and helping him however I possibly can.”
Kvyat will pilot the No. 26 Toyota Camry for Team Hezeberg.
The team will have a second car competing this weekend, with Loris Hezemans climbing aboard the No. 27.