Tickford boss reveals NASCAR driver wildcard plans

Tickford Racing CEO Simon Brookhouse has confirmed his team is working on plans to run a NASCAR driver at this year’s bp Adelaide Grand Final.

The likes of NASCAR Cup champions Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch have been linked to wildcards in recent years.

Tickford has become the latest team to be linked to a wildcard for a NASCAR driver, with 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric mooted for the driver.

When asked about the likelihood of a wildcard, Brookhouse said: “We'd certainly love to run a programme.

"We tried to do it last year, but the timing just didn't work. Obviously the NASCAR season finished very close to Adelaide, this year there's a bit of a gap.

“There's a little bit of water going in the bridge and nothing's been confirmed, but we're certainly working towards the possibility of that happening.”

Tickford is running a wildcard at this year’s enduros, with Super2 drivers Rylan Gray and Lochie Dalton to take the wheel.

Supercars drivers have travelled Stateside to take on NASCAR’s best, with the likes of Cam Waters, Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown all making Cup starts in recent years.

It comes after three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen took on — and defeated — Cup drivers in Chicago in 2023, opening the door for more stars from down under to have crack.

As part of a greater relationship with NASCAR, Brookhouse wants Toyota and Chevrolet to run similar programmes in coming years, to put Cup stars to the test.

“We are working with Ford Performance and they're certainly working through the drivers they think would work best,” Brookhouse said.

“Ultimately, we are leaving it in their hands. We're not particular about the driver. We are really partnering with Ford Performance if it goes ahead.

"I think for the relationship between NASCAR and Supercars, there's a great opportunity there to start it.

“It's just my own personal thoughts, that if next year you could have a Toyota, a Chev and a Ford going around with NASCAR drivers, it'd be great.

“If we can build those relationships and have a pathway for our drivers to go there, and have them come back here to showcase their skills, I think in the future, the sport's really rising.”