NASCAR Cup Series COTA results: Raikkonen vs Button as Reddick takes the win

NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series COTA results: Raikkonen agony as Reddick takes the win

Two former F1 world champs played their part in a Texas thriller

Graham Shaw Consultant Editor

Digital sports specialist running global brands for 30 years

Monday 27 March 2023 01:32 Updated: 02:07

Kimi Raikkonen lost out to Jenson Button in battle of former F1 world champions as Tyler Reddick claimed a thrilling NASCAR Cup Series victory at COTA on Sunday.

Raikkonen and Jenson Button were both in action in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, with the Briton making his Cup Series debut in the process.

Button bests Raikkonen in battle of F1 champs

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Kimi, who had prior Cup Series experience after making his debut at Watkins Glen in 2022, put in a strong drive which saw him racing in the top four at one point, and he appeared set to end the day in the top 15 as the race went into overtime.

Disaster then struck for the Finn though as he was caught up in a late incident which saw him drop out of the top 20 and all the way down to a finishing position of P29. His luckless afternoon had been compounded by a 30-second post-race penalty for cutting esses.

Button meanwhile, who will also race later this season in Chicago and Indianapolis, put in a really solid debut drive as he improved from P24 on the starting lineup to P18 at the close of a gruelling race.

Reddick wins COTA thriller

Up front it was Reddick who took the honours to top the podium, getting the best of a thrilling battle which saw seven drivers lead at one time or another as well as a total of 16 lead changes and eight cautions.

Reddick came home 1.411 seconds ahead of Kyle Busch, with Alex Bowman completing the podium. Pole sitter William Byron eventually dropped to P5 after battling Reddick for the lead for most of the afternoon.

Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson endured a difficult day, finishing 38th of the 39 cars.

A day full of F1 interest at COTA also extended to the commentary booth, with Haas team principal Guenther Steiner in the FOX commentary booth.