Max Mason has done his first laps on an oval after he completed a test session with a Late Model car provided by 3F Racing at Hickory Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series rookie Max Mason has clocked his first laps on an oval circuit. The 16-year old driver from Sydney visited the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina to test the Late Model racer owned by 3F Racing.
The test itself was first covered by Leadlap’s André Wiegold, who managed to get Mason’s thoughts on the test at the “World’s Most Famous Short Track”. The Academy Motorsport driver revealed that he had to “change everything” about his driving style in order to familiarize himself with what’s required in oval racing.
“It was tough!” said Mason after the test in Hickory. “It’s definitely different from everything that I know, it’s like a North and South difference. I had to change everything that I already knew, so it’s definitely tough but it was super enjoyable.”
“I like new challenges and this is something that’s completely new. I managed to get up to speed and learn something that’s completely new in one day so I’m happy with that result. It was tough, it was new, it was fun, it’s completely unexpected!”
Mason’s capability to test in the United States also showcases the progress that the Australian had made on his injury recovery. Mason was injured in the “Big One” at Vallelunga after his car got into two wheels and landed violently.
Mason was not at 100% during the test at Hickory, but the Australian driver is expected to make a full recovery in time for the round at Autodrom Most later this month. Mason hopes that the test opens up more opportunities to test or race in the United States, but he “doesn’t know” what the future holds for him.
“Well, I don’t know yet,” said Mason on future US opportunities. “We have to see what the team thinks and how they can think of a plan that’ll work for me in the States. But for me, it’s something brand new so obviously it takes time on the track to get up to speed.”
“I’m looking forward to more racing on the ovals as it’s something that’s exciting for me. If it’s up to me, I would get a good program together in the next few years to get myself prepared for the Cup Series.”
The report from Leadlap also revealed that Mason will continue to race with Academy Motorsport’s No. 1 team at Most. This all but confirms the news that Mason is switching teams to Academy for the rest of the season after he made his EuroNASCAR debut with Racingfuel Motorsport during the season opener at Valencia.
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