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ITV
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, who recently joined the Jordan Midland operation as its sporting relations manager, claims he is close to a deal to race in America's leading motorsport series NASCAR.
The 41-year-old Briton has made no secret of the fact that he wants to return to competitive action and has enjoyed a long spell in sportscar racing since retiring from F1 with Jaguar in 2000.
When announcing his Jordan deal, Herbert revealed that he was chasing a NASCAR ride, and now it seems that it may become a reality.
"It's something that Mark Perkins (formerly of IMG), who helps me out now and again, has been working on for a good few months," Herbert told Autosport.
"Mark's more of a finance man and it's through speaking to his contacts that this started, and it has all just progressed from there.
"The group basically wants to get into NASCAR and I've always been interested but never really known how to get involved, being a non-American.
"But it's got to the point where, hopefully, in the next month we'll know if it's a goer or not."
NASCAR is a predominantly oval-based category and requires a different approach to racing than F1.
It is also regarded as one of the most difficult motorsport disciplines to break into.
But Herbert remains undeterred.
"I had a look at IRL but that never really took off and NASCAR is something else," he said.
"I like ovals and I like a challenge. A lot of people shy away from anything with a wall near it but I'd be up for it. After all, I started my F1 career in a wheelchair and left in one too!
"NASCAR is very different from what I know but it would be a good thing to do. I'd have to learn it because the racing is very different."
I don't know about this as he's way over the market age for a top team--they want them young.........................
