Red Bull Racing has selected Mattias Ekström to handle the road course at Infineon Raceway next week in the No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota:

“First of all, I’d like to express my sincere thanks — to Red Bull for inviting a Swede with zero NASCAR experience to compete in the United States and to Audi for the possibility and approval that enable me to fulfill this dream,” said Ekström, 31.

I, too, would like to express my sincerest thanks to Red Bull for inviting a cute Swedish dude to race in NASCAR for the first time ever. Can you say, “fresh meat?” It’s perfect timing since I’ll be at Infineon next week for the Toyota/SaveMart 350. Can wait to see Mattias in action. Zero NASCAR experience and his first race is at Infineon. I love it.

🙂


CONCORD, NC - MAY 27: Casey Mears (R), driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, talks with Mattias Ekstrom, driver for Red Bull Racing Team of Sweden, in the garage prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

That’s Mattias (left) with Casey Mears, sporting his wedding ring. I forgot Casey got married!

In other news…

— The 2010 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream was held last night and drivers from all kinds of racing disciplines were on hand, including Travis Pastrana who is famous for his motocross & supercross & general extreme sport background. I really, really wish Travis would try his hand at NASCAR. It would be a good time for sure. That guy is funny and super talented.

His team won, representing Levine Children’s Hospital, and included Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, David Reutimann, Dave Blaney and Marcos Ambrose.


Tony Stewart, driver of the #14, talks to the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14, talks to the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Travis Pastrana, driver of the #199 Red Bull late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Travis!! Marry me! Did I just say that? oops. 🙂

Travis Pastrana, driver of the #199 Red Bull late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Tony Kanaan, driver of the #11 Seven Eleven late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Tony Kanaan, driver of the #11 Seven Eleven late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Kasey Kahne, Driver of the #9 Budweiser late model, talks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Kasey Kahne, Driver of the #9 Budweiser late model, talks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac late model Ford, sits in his car during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

I choose to believe that the reason why we haven’t seen little Anne Edwards is because she’s SO cute our eyeballs would fall out of our heads, so Kate & Carl are saving everyone from dying from cute overload. 🙂

Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac late model Ford, sits in his car during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's late model Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s late model Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson's car owner poses with Jimmie and the trophy after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson’s car owner poses with Jimmie and the trophy after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)