By
NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
ELKHART LAKE – The rise of NASCAR’s popularity in Brazil went to another level Saturday.
Nelson Piquet Jr. won his first career NASCAR race at the Nationwide Series’ Sargento 200 at Road America in just his third career start. Piquet led the final 17 laps of the 50-lap race, winning by 2.258 seconds.
He is the first Brazilian to win a NASCAR touring race.
“It’s difficult to put into words how I feel,” Piquet said. “Winning this race is very special.”
Series points leader Elliott Sadler finished 15th. Austin Dillon, who went into the weekend second in points, battled gear box problems most of the race and finished 18th. Sadler leads Dillon by 11 points heading into next week’s race in Kentucky.
Michael McDowell, last year’s polesitter, finished second, followed by Ron Fellows, his third-straight podium finish at Road America in the Nationwide Series. Max Papis was fourth and Sam Hornish Jr. was the highest finishing series regular, finishing fifth.
Danica Patrick finished 12th.
Most drivers played the fuel-strategy-game early, even pitting as early as the completion of lap 1. Hornish made his first pit stop after lap 2.
“The yellows just came at the wrong time for us,” Hornish said. “I’m glad it all worked out.
“We had a great points day,” he added. “Hopefully we can get our oval program stepped up so we can gain some points.”
Piquet did the customary burnout on the front straightaway holding the checkered flag and the Brazilian flag. By the time he made his way into victory lane, the country well-known for its ability to party had already begun to celebrate, especially Piquet’s famous father.
Nelson Piquet Sr. is a three-time Formula 1 world champion. When the young Piquet sat down inside the media center for his postrace press conference, he was on his cellphone with his dad. When asked what his dad said to him, there was slight hesitation.
“He was laughing,” Piquet finally admitted. “I don’t know if he had a beer or not. He was very, very excited.
“I just said, ‘Keep it short and I’ll call you later.’”
Piquet is hopeful his victory gave a boost to the popularity of stock car racing in a country devoted to soccer, especially with some of the sport’s greatest players hailing from Brazil, such as Pele.
So, how much is stock car racing growing in Brazil?
“It’s growing,” Piquet said. “What I’m trying to do, the reason I also try to wrap myself around this Brazilian spirit that I have, is to try to bring as much fans toward NASCAR.”
Did his victory bridge the gap between stock car racing and soccer? One might think so.
The television station in Brazil broadcasting the race had originally scheduled to run the race on a tape-delay because of a U21 South American Club Soccer Championship match. Then, for some reason about two hours before the race, the station, Fox Sports Brazil, made the switch to broadcast the race live, instead of the soccer match.
“The best thing that happened is they changed it and I won the race,” Piquet joked.
He didn’t feel extra pressure to win the race because of the switch. He thought it was cool, though.
“(Fox Sports Brazil) had so much pressure by the fans on Twitter,” Piquet said. “That shows that there is more and more interest both in Brazil and the sport.”
Piquet was in the top 10 all day. His lowest position was 10th on lap 10. He also made an impression that makes it look like he knows what he’s doing in stock cars. In three Nationwide starts, he now has two top-10 finishes. In 2010, he finished seventh at Watkins Glen.
This season, he is running a full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. He is sixth in the point standings through seven races.
“I wanted to get a victory on a road course in the Nationwide (Series),” Piquet said.
“I think the best thing that came out of this is to show team owners I’m capable of (winning),” he added, hoping he can run a full Nationwide schedule next season. “I can do it.”
If he continues to rise through the NASCAR ranks, Brazilian TV stations have a new problem.
Daily News Sports Editor
ELKHART LAKE – The rise of NASCAR’s popularity in Brazil went to another level Saturday.
Nelson Piquet Jr. won his first career NASCAR race at the Nationwide Series’ Sargento 200 at Road America in just his third career start. Piquet led the final 17 laps of the 50-lap race, winning by 2.258 seconds.
He is the first Brazilian to win a NASCAR touring race.
“It’s difficult to put into words how I feel,” Piquet said. “Winning this race is very special.”
Series points leader Elliott Sadler finished 15th. Austin Dillon, who went into the weekend second in points, battled gear box problems most of the race and finished 18th. Sadler leads Dillon by 11 points heading into next week’s race in Kentucky.
Michael McDowell, last year’s polesitter, finished second, followed by Ron Fellows, his third-straight podium finish at Road America in the Nationwide Series. Max Papis was fourth and Sam Hornish Jr. was the highest finishing series regular, finishing fifth.
Danica Patrick finished 12th.
Most drivers played the fuel-strategy-game early, even pitting as early as the completion of lap 1. Hornish made his first pit stop after lap 2.
“The yellows just came at the wrong time for us,” Hornish said. “I’m glad it all worked out.
“We had a great points day,” he added. “Hopefully we can get our oval program stepped up so we can gain some points.”
Piquet did the customary burnout on the front straightaway holding the checkered flag and the Brazilian flag. By the time he made his way into victory lane, the country well-known for its ability to party had already begun to celebrate, especially Piquet’s famous father.
Nelson Piquet Sr. is a three-time Formula 1 world champion. When the young Piquet sat down inside the media center for his postrace press conference, he was on his cellphone with his dad. When asked what his dad said to him, there was slight hesitation.
“He was laughing,” Piquet finally admitted. “I don’t know if he had a beer or not. He was very, very excited.
“I just said, ‘Keep it short and I’ll call you later.’”
Piquet is hopeful his victory gave a boost to the popularity of stock car racing in a country devoted to soccer, especially with some of the sport’s greatest players hailing from Brazil, such as Pele.
So, how much is stock car racing growing in Brazil?
“It’s growing,” Piquet said. “What I’m trying to do, the reason I also try to wrap myself around this Brazilian spirit that I have, is to try to bring as much fans toward NASCAR.”
Did his victory bridge the gap between stock car racing and soccer? One might think so.
The television station in Brazil broadcasting the race had originally scheduled to run the race on a tape-delay because of a U21 South American Club Soccer Championship match. Then, for some reason about two hours before the race, the station, Fox Sports Brazil, made the switch to broadcast the race live, instead of the soccer match.
“The best thing that happened is they changed it and I won the race,” Piquet joked.
He didn’t feel extra pressure to win the race because of the switch. He thought it was cool, though.
“(Fox Sports Brazil) had so much pressure by the fans on Twitter,” Piquet said. “That shows that there is more and more interest both in Brazil and the sport.”
Piquet was in the top 10 all day. His lowest position was 10th on lap 10. He also made an impression that makes it look like he knows what he’s doing in stock cars. In three Nationwide starts, he now has two top-10 finishes. In 2010, he finished seventh at Watkins Glen.
This season, he is running a full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. He is sixth in the point standings through seven races.
“I wanted to get a victory on a road course in the Nationwide (Series),” Piquet said.
“I think the best thing that came out of this is to show team owners I’m capable of (winning),” he added, hoping he can run a full Nationwide schedule next season. “I can do it.”
If he continues to rise through the NASCAR ranks, Brazilian TV stations have a new problem.
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