Mark Webber became the first Formula One veteran among the seven drivers confirmed to join the Superstar Racing Experience, the short-track series being started by Ray Evernham and Tony Stewart.
Webber, 44, scored nine victories in 215 F1 starts from 2002-13, finishing third in the points standings in ’10 and ’12. He also has eight victories and a 2015 title with Porsche in the World Endurance Championship.
“I’ve had other offers to race since retiring from professional racing although nothing really excited me,” Webber said in a Wednesday release from SRX. “But, over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the U.S. racing scene much better so this is a great opportunity for me to experience it first-hand.
“It is pretty special bringing together drivers from various classes, and I look forward to competing against old friends and visiting some of America’s most renowned racing destinations.”
🚨#DriverAnnouncement: Let’s officially welcome @AussieGrit to the @SRXracing family!#LetsRace 🏁 pic.twitter.com/exWBaZVjbz
— Superstar Racing Experience (@SRXracing) September 9, 2020
The series, which is expecting to have a dozen drivers, also has Tony Stewart, Helio Castroneves, Bobby Labonte, Paul Tracy, Tony Kanaan and Willy T. Ribbs in its lineup.
SRX was co-founded by NASCAR Hall of Famers Stewart and Evernham and was unveiled July 13.
Several drivers have expressed interest in the new circuit, which is modeled on the International Race of Champions (IROC) series that matched drivers from various auto racing disciplines in equally prepared cars for an annual four-race series for 30 years.
With the addition of Mark Webber, Superstar Racing Experience has yet to reveal a schedule or tracks, but it’s expected that Stewart’s Eldora Speedway will be on the slate.
Here’s the release from Superstar Racing Experience:Superstar Racing Experience is excited to announce the addition of nine-time Formula One Grand Prix winner and World Endurance Car Champion Mark Webber to the inaugural SRX driver lineup.
Webber who regularly goes by his social media handle “Aussie Grit,” most recently raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche, where he accumulated eight wins in 25 starts including the world title in 2015.
Between 2002 and 2013, Webber competed in 215 Formula One races, where he claimed nine victories with Red Bull Racing and finished on the podium 42 times. He finished third in the FIA F1 World Drivers’ Championship in 2010 and 2012 and helped RBR to win four FIA F1 World Constructors’ Championships.
“I’ve had other offers to race since retiring from professional racing although nothing really excited me. But, over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the US racing scene much better so this is a great opportunity for me to experience it first-hand. It is pretty special bringing together drivers from various classes, and I look forward to competing against old friends, and visiting some of America’s most renowned racing destinations,” said Webber.
Since retiring from racing, Webber has become a brand ambassador for Porsche, Red Bull, Rolex, Hugo Boss and Mobil 1, and combines these roles with F1 broadcasting duties for Channel 4 in the UK and Channel 10 in Australia. He also manages Jaguar Racing Formula E driver Mitch Evans, and FIA Formula 3 hot shoe and fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.
Webber joins Tony Stewart, Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy, Bobby Labonte, Helio Castroneves and Willy T. Ribbs as the seventh confirmed driver for the series that will air Saturday nights in primetime on CBS next summer.