Former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet says he ‘cannot wait’ for his American stock car racing debut in the Daytona ARCA race on 6 February.

The Brazilian confirmed today that he had secured a deal with Eddie Sharp Racing – which took Justin Lofton to the 2009 ARCA title – to race in the season-opener, as revealed by AUTOSPORT earlier this month.

“I’m very excited,” said Piquet. “I can’t wait to reach 200mph side-by-side and rubbing paint. The plans for the season are coming together really well and I am racing with a very strong team. I can’t wait to get out on track.”

Team boss Eddie Sharp is confident Piquet can go a good job for the team in his debut.

“We are excited to have Nelson driving for us in Daytona this year,” Sharp said. “He will represent ESR well, and we believe he will gain some good learning miles in a stock car, especially racing at Daytona.”

Piquet’s first stock car race will come in South Africa this weekend, when he contests the Free State 500 at Phakisa.

SunTrust Racing will start on pole position when the Daytona 24 Hours gets underway on Saturday, after a superb lap by Max Angelelli in today’s qualifying session.

The Italian – who will share SunTrust’s #10 Dallara-Ford with Pedro Lamy, Ricky Taylor and team boss Wayne Taylor – set a time of 1m40.681s, nearly half a second clear of nearest rival Oswaldro Negri Jr.

“It was important to get the pole, I can’t deny that. We wanted pole badly,” said Angelelli.

“I was pretty confident. Our Dallara chassis and Ford engine are always good. Now it is up to us drivers to make it happen.”

Behind Angelelli, less than a tenth of a second covered the next four cars, with the two Michael Shank Racing Riley-Fords lining up ahead of Ganassi’s two Riley-BMWs.

Christophe Bouchut put the best of the Level 5 Riley-BMWs on the outside of row three, while last year’s winning team Brumos will start seventh with Darren Law, Hurley Haywood, David Donohue, Raphael Matos and Butch Leitzinger.

Former Grand-Am champion team GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing missed qualifying completely after NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson crashed its #99 Riley-Chevrolet while avoiding a GT car in practice. After initially thinking it would have to bring in a replacement car, the team is rebuilding the chassis with a new rear end. Johnson, who will share the car with Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser, is having the new section flown in using his private plane.

SpeedSource took GT class pole for the third straight year, although this time it was Jeff Segal in the #69 Mazda who claimed the top spot, with double class polesitter Sylvain Trembley only third in the sister car, behind the Racers Edge Mazda.

Pos  Drivers                                    Car             Time

 1.  Angelelli/Lamy/Taylor/Taylor               Dallara-Ford    1m40.681s

 2.  Frisselle/Negri/Pew/Wilkins                Riley-Ford      1m41.100s

 3.  Allmendinger/Frisselle/Patterson/Valiante  Riley-Ford      1m41.110s

 4.  Dixon/Franchitti/McMurray/Montoya          Riley-BMW       1m41.147s

 5.  Papis/Pruett/Rojas/Wilson                  Riley-BMW       1m41.164s

 6.  Bouchut/Bourdais/Collard/Maassen/Tucker    Riley-BMW       1m41.463s

 7.  Donohue/Haywood/Law/Leitzinger/Matos       Riley-Porsche   1m41.513s

 8.  Barbosa/Borcheller/Dalziel/Rockenfeller    Riley-Porsche   1m41.603s

 9.  Braun/Jonsson/Krohn/Zonta                  Lola-Ford       1m42.060s

10.  Garcia/Manning/Menard/Rice                 Coyote-Porsche  1m42.074s

Audi has made three changes to its sportscar line-up this year, as it attempts to regain the Le Mans 24 Hours crown from Peugeot.

This week’s AUTOSPORT magazine revealed that three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner has been dropped and Alexandre Premat will focus on the DTM, while former American Le Mans Series champion Lucas Luhr is not expected to feature.

The trio has been replaced by Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer, who will share one of the R15s at Le Mans this year.

Fassler raced twice for Audi in the ALMS in 2008 and raced at Le Mans for Chevrolet in 2009. Lotterer won last year’s Japanese Super GT title and drove a Kolles-run Audi R10 at Le Mans, while Treluyer raced a Pescarolo-run Peugeot 908 in last year’s 24 Hours.

“In view of our strong competitors, we have to be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers,” said Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich. “Marcel, Andre and Benoit attracted our attention during the past two years and we are convinced they are a very good combination for Le Mans.”

“For the time being plans for them are fully focused on Le Mans 2010, but all three of them are still relatively young and may become part of our sportscar project over the long term.”

“For me, having the chance to be part of the Audi team this year is incredible,” said Fassler. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and expect the R15 to be competing for overall victory.”

Lotterer added: “I’m proud about having been selected by such a successful team, this is a major step in my career. Last year as a Le Mans rookie I learned a lot, now I’ve got the chance to compete for a top-class team.”

Treluyer said: “I’d never have expected to immediately get a slot with a factory team for Le Mans after my return from Japan. With Andre and Marcel, we’ve got a car in which we can clinch overall victory.”

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn believes being paired with Michael Schumacher will help Nico Rosberg will develop into a potential champion.

With Schumacher having traditionally taken precedence over his team-mates, the issue of driver equality has been much discussed since it was confirmed that the seven times champion would come out of retirement to join Rosberg in the Mercedes GP line-up.

Brawn has been adamant that Rosberg would not be a subservient number two, and revealed that Mercedes wants to build its longer-term future around the younger German.

“We signed Nico first and have tried to sign Nico for several years,” Brawn told the official Formula 1 website. “We had strong discussions with him two years ago.

“We see Nico as a great talent, but it needs finishing and maturing. He has not won a race yet, although he came very close, and I think it is a wonderful partnership between him and Michael. They work well together and I see Michael helping Nico develop his career.

“Michael has come out of retirement but we have to accept that there will come a day when he has to stop forever and then we will have Nico.

“They must both try the hardest to beat each other but if it is done with the right spirit, with the right approach, then both will gain enormously. I view it as a very exciting partnership and I am glad Nico is part of it.”

Brawn insisted that there had never been any intention for Schumacher to become the dominant driver when they worked together at Benetton and Ferrari.

“First of all I never wanted Michael to dominate. Michael dominated because he was the best,” he said. “There was never a structure that enabled him to dominate. He dominated because he was the fastest and most consistent driver. So we will have to see how the season develops.

“It is not good having one driver dominate a team because that means the other driver is not performing as he should. I don’t want Michael to dominate. I want them both to compete very strongly and both to win races.”

But he acknowledged that Mercedes would have no qualms about putting one driver in a supporting role if the points situation required it.

“At the end of the day we want to win the championship,” said Brawn. “Decisions may develop where one driver has to be given extra support for the championship but we won’t do that until the situation arises.

“Until then it is a completely open competition and I don’t want one driver to dominate the other.”

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn believes being paired with Michael Schumacher will help Nico Rosberg will develop into a potential champion.

With Schumacher having traditionally taken precedence over his team-mates, the issue of driver equality has been much discussed since it was confirmed that the seven times champion would come out of retirement to join Rosberg in the Mercedes GP line-up.

Brawn has been adamant that Rosberg would not be a subservient number two, and revealed that Mercedes wants to build its longer-term future around the younger German.

“We signed Nico first and have tried to sign Nico for several years,” Brawn told the official Formula 1 website. “We had strong discussions with him two years ago.

“We see Nico as a great talent, but it needs finishing and maturing. He has not won a race yet, although he came very close, and I think it is a wonderful partnership between him and Michael. They work well together and I see Michael helping Nico develop his career.

“Michael has come out of retirement but we have to accept that there will come a day when he has to stop forever and then we will have Nico.

“They must both try the hardest to beat each other but if it is done with the right spirit, with the right approach, then both will gain enormously. I view it as a very exciting partnership and I am glad Nico is part of it.”

Brawn insisted that there had never been any intention for Schumacher to become the dominant driver when they worked together at Benetton and Ferrari.

“First of all I never wanted Michael to dominate. Michael dominated because he was the best,” he said. “There was never a structure that enabled him to dominate. He dominated because he was the fastest and most consistent driver. So we will have to see how the season develops.

“It is not good having one driver dominate a team because that means the other driver is not performing as he should. I don’t want Michael to dominate. I want them both to compete very strongly and both to win races.”

But he acknowledged that Mercedes would have no qualms about putting one driver in a supporting role if the points situation required it.

“At the end of the day we want to win the championship,” said Brawn. “Decisions may develop where one driver has to be given extra support for the championship but we won’t do that until the situation arises.

“Until then it is a completely open competition and I don’t want one driver to dominate the other.”

Formula 1’s launch season began on Monday with the unveiling of Mercedes GP’s official colour scheme for the 2010 season.

It was also the first time Michael Schumacher was seen in his new colours following the new that he will partner Nico Rosberg this year.

AUTOSPORT heard from both drivers ahead of the start of the season.

Q. In any team, you want to beat your team-mate, and you are up against a seven-time champion. How do you see your season?

Nico Rosberg: First of all I think it’s important to say that we are racing together for Mercedes GP Petronas and it’s also important that we achieve success for the team. And then obviously it’s important for me as a driver to beat my team-mate, so definitely it’s going to be a big challenge this year. It’s not going to be too easy.

But I’m confident that I will be strong this year, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Anyway, for me it’s a fantastic opportunity to have Michael as a team-mate. I look forward to working with him. I’m sure we will work well together. Definitely he has a lot of experience so there’s a few things that I will be able to pick up from him.

Q. The man sitting next to you’s father said after Rascasse ‘06 that the sport could do without do. How do you feel now driving with the son of the man who described you in that way?

Michael Schumacher: Good.

Q. Michael, a lot of people are expecting you to fight for the championship again. Is this realistic?

MS: I think we have everything it takes to do it. It’s one thing to have all the ingredients to be able to cook it up but it’s another thing to have a good result. I believe with the experience Ross has, with what we did last year, having Mercedes as the team itself, with all the experience and the know-how and the quality they have, on top of myself… I’m sorry but there’s only one target. But it’s one thing to have a target and another thing to achieve it.

Q. Michael, can you tell us about any concerns you may have about next week and your return to a Formula 1 car? Are you sure it all be okay?

MS: Yes, I’m sure. I’m hot. It’s just taking far too long to get going and we can’t wait for next week. I have no issues with the neck. I’ve done the GP2 test and lots of preparation in the winter, lots of check to make sure all is good.

Q. In Brazil 2006, you said you were sorry for all the errors you made over the years. Is this return an way to show that you can win in the right way?

MS: Yeah, I’m sure 91 wins and seven titles you only win them in the bad way, absolutely, you are right.

Q. It was the manner in which you won them, now what you won.

MS: Yes, I know, I did mean I won all this in the manner that you were trying to ask questions. Let’s be sensible and think the reality and look forward to what we all might face, and learn and enjoy together. That’s what I’m looking for.

Q. What would it mean to take your place as a part of Mercedes’s F1 history?

MS: Well, there is some history of myself in here, during the 90s. Naturally we look forward to have the closing loop some time in the future, with cars we have driven and which hopefully have success. That is naturally the aim.

NR: For me, I walked through the museum a couple of weeks ago and I was just amazed. The history of Mercedes is just amazing. The first Mercedes was a race car itself. As a German it’s just very special to driver a silver arrow and it’s going to be a great year.

Q. Nico, when you learned that Michael was going to be your team-mate, how much reassurance did you have to seek and get from Norbert and Ross and Nick that you wouldn’t just become a number two driver?

NR: Of course there was a little bit of doubt in me, because Michael has a very good relationship with Ross and all that. But to be very honest recently I had a lot of discussions with Norbert and Ross and I’m very, very confident and comfortable that we will both have the same opportunities, same car, same everything. So that’s fantastic. I think it’s in the race philosophy of Mercedes, and the way Ross wants to do it, so that’s the way it’s going to be.

Q. Nico, when you signed for Mercedes, did you have any clues as to who would be your team-mate?

NR: Yeah, I was sure it was Jenson.

Q. Nico, do you think this is the year you can really take that big step up?

NR: Yeah, definitely. This is the opportunity that I have been waiting for. I’ve had great years with Williams. It was a great time and I’m very thankful to the team and everything. But this is a very important step in my career and hopefully we’ll have a winning car. Things are looking good at the moment and I just need to try and make the best of it. I’m confident it will be a very strong year for me.

Q. Michael, do you think it’s looking tougher than in the years before your retirement, with Vettel coming on strong and Hamilton, and other drivers?

MS: I think the point is that you have probably, compared to the past, one team against which you had to compete, to two or three teams like now. But in the end it’s going to be most likely one that you have to pinpoint and that you have to focus on. Last year I know it was different, but it’s probably an exception. It might be, again, but it doesn’t really matter.

Q. What about the young guys like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton?

MS: Whether they are young or experienced doesn’t really matter, because when you are in the car you don’t look at how old he is, or who he is. It is, how can I be better than whoever it is?

Q. Was it difficult consulting your family and children about becoming a racing driver again?

MS: I mean, naturally, I had a deep discussion with my wife. And it is good to have this. My wife is very down to earth, as we both are, but she sees things from a little bit of a distance. She very easily mentioned the pros and the cons, and at the end of the day she left the decision on me. It is something that helps you to find a decision.

Q. Signing for Mercedes-Benz means for you to come back home. But does it feel a bit strange not to wear a red shirt?

MS: It is simply the fact that quite a lot of my history and part of my heart is red. You cannot forget or deny all of the good moments we have had together. And I really look forward to again see some of my friends who I have been together with for so long. I still have regular contact, and Stefano [Domenicali] he every so often phones me up, and he just invited me for the skiing week which is a very private thing that we do amongst the Ferrari family. So, I am still friends with them and this will never stop. We will compete, yes, but it doesn’t mean that we have to forget anything that happened in the past.

Q. You were talking about the pros and cons in the discussion with your wife. What were the cons?

MS: Secret!

Q. When Ross [Brawn] contacted you in November, by phone I guess, did you know what was coming?

MS: Yes. Because quite honestly, we had been almost every year in contact. When he went to Honda at the time, he sort of suggested that there was an option, but I wasn’t ready for it. We always kept in contact, and saw each other at the races and we had loose contact – sometimes it was a serious question from him and sometimes it was a joke. In Abu Dhabi, he sort of touched already a little bit about this subject, but not deeply. We were just celebrating mainly, and then he called me.

Knowing that he calls me at this time of the year, and you know what is going on in the business, you knew what was going to be his question.

Q. After your decision to sign for Mercedes-Benz in F1, have you been back to the restaurant in Maranello yet?

MS: Not yet. I am still trying to find a slot for this! I miss Mamma Rossella. Actually, she sent me already some texts and she wants me to go! As I said before, I had such a good experience and I have such good relationships in Italy, that this will not stop. That is deep in my heart and that is what it is.

Q. What are your feelings about a German national team?

NR: I think it shouldn’t be a big focus, but I think on a side thing it is a fantastic thing. Mercedes GP, Petronas and two German drivers – I think it is great. And I hope we can encourage the German fans to be even more supportive of us. Of course, with Michael arriving at the team, surely the team will have a lot of support – and I look forward to having as much support as possible. And we are a little bit up against an English team, with McLaren, so hopefully we can win that battle.

MS: Well, I guess we just have to convince Angela Merkel to change a little bit our cars. Instead of red, black and gold, it must be silver already!

Q. What it the biggest difference for you adapting to a return to Formula 1?

MS: You have to experience this. None of us has driven these cars, or driven with such heavy fuel loads. But, it is honestly a little uncomfortable that you know you can have a car light for a qualifying simulation and then you must put in so much fuel. But it is what it is, it is for everybody, and you have to get used to it – to adapt your driving style for a compromise at the beginning of the race, with the fuel to the end of the race without the fuel. It is the same for everybody and we just have to get on with it.

Q. Nico, a lot of the media attention is on Michael Schumacher. Do you see this as a benefit to you because you can just get on quietly with your job?

NR: Of course from one side, yes. Obviously it is also demanding to be present in the media, and to do the work, and always be polite and things like that. Sometimes it can get demanding, so from that side, it is a good thing for me that I can concentrate a bit more on the racing, working with the team and hopefully on winning races.

Q. Michael, the desire now without you to win another title – is it far greater than in those days you were winning the titles with Ferrari?

MS: It is tough to call it greater. I have always been focused, motivated and determined, and that is what it is now. There is no more and no less.

Q. Michael, have you in any way changed in the last four years – are you more relaxed, more dedicated, concentrated?

MS: I guess so. I think it is a nature that happens with gaining experience, that you sort of judge things from a slightly different angle. It does happen. I hope to be positive, and we will find out.

Q. When you assess your situation on a whole, is it is a case of proving that age is no barrier to success?

MS: No. I have nothing to prove to anyone about my age. I just have to prove to myself that I am obviously still able. But the main reason I am doing this, is because I am thrilled about it. I feel big excitement to just drive and compete at the highest level of motorsport. I have been doing it for two or three years in go karts, and other sections, which was great. But now I say why not do something at a higher level?

Q. Is it not quite true that no refuelling is new to everybody – because you did it in your first years. Are there any memories from this?

MS: Yes, it is true. But it is so long ago and the cars certainly are quite different to what they used to be, but nevertheless the rules do evolve. And whatever the rules, we drivers have to adapt to it – and I think most of us, and Nico as well, he has some experience even if his career is shorter to mine, I don’t think it matters too much.

The car is going to be heavy, you have to watch the tyres probably initially more than you do at the end. You have to play the strategy, you have to gain the experience and how we best use these rules to our advantage against the other teams. But it is always the matter of adapting to the circumstance that is the key factor.

Adrian Fernandez is closing on a deal to race a works-run Aston Martin Racing LMP1 coupe in a short programme of American Le Mans Series races, this week’s AUTOSPORT magazine reveals.

The 44-year-old Mexican, who had to close his eponymous team after taking the ALMS LMP2 title last year, has confirmed that he is working on a plan for 2010. His Aston programme would likely encompass the blue riband ALMS races at Sebring, Long Beach and Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans, as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

“I’m talking to Aston, but right now there’s still a way to go to make it happen,” said Fernandez. “I hope we can finalise it by the end of the month.”

AMR team principal George Howard-Chappell refused to confirm that he was in discussions with Fernandez, but suggested an announcement of AMR’s prototype plans for 2010 was imminent.

“We are getting close to being able to say something,” he said. “We are waiting for a contract to be signed off.”

AMR is unlikely to return to the Le Mans Series full-time to defend its title. A limited programme focused on Le Mans looks most likely.

Casey Mears will stay in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after securing a deal with new team Keyed-Up Motorsports.

The 31-year-old nephew of IndyCar legend Rick Mears had lost his Richard Childress Racing seat at the end of last season.

Keyed-Up is a new organisation formed by businessman Raymond Key, whose brother Curtis runs teams in the Nationwide and Truck Series.

The Chevrolet-equipped squad intends to run the full 2010 Cup schedule, although it has yet to secure all the funding required to do so. Doug Ribert, who ran Dale Earnhardt to his first title in 1980, will be Keyed-Up’s crew chief.

“We’re a new team, but I feel we have everything in place to race,” said Mears. “It’s going to be a rewarding endeavour.”

NASCAR has announced more relaxed regulations for bump-drafting at restrictor plate tracks, as part of a range of rule changes revealed on Thursday.

Following a controversial finish at Talladega in April 2009, in which Carl Edwards’ car took off and ripped through part of the catch-fencing, officials decided to ban bump-drafting in the turns when the series returned to the track in November.

Fans and drivers were critical of the ruling and blamed it for causing long periods of single-file racing.

In a bid to try to avoid a repeat and improve the spectacle at both Talladega and Daytona, NASCAR will eliminate any bump-drafting restrictions at events held at these two tracks.

“Over the past 10 years we’ve dramatically increased safety and that mission continues,” said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France. “However, it’s time for us to allow the drivers to drive. We don’t want the rules and regulations to get in the way of great racing and fantastic finishes.

“NASCAR is a contact sport – our history is based on banging fenders.”

Talladega Superspeedway president Rick Humphrey welcomed the news, which he expects will please some of the fans who were left frustrated when the series competed at the venue last autumn.

“Certainly race fans have high expectations when they come to Talladega Superspeedway,” said Humphrey. “They expect the tightest racing, the most lead changes, the most passes and the closest finishes. The return of bump-drafting certainly moves us toward meeting and exceeding each of those expectations.”

Additionally NASCAR has announced a larger restrictor-plate size of 63/64 of an inch for the season-opener at Daytona, which is set to increase horsepower.

Officials also confirmed the transition to the new rear spoiler, which was tested for the first time on track this week at Texas, and revealed that changes to the front end of the car are possible and currently under evaluation.

NASCAR also announced that current Sprint Cup Series director John Darby has been promoted to managing director of competition, and will oversee all three national series’ directors, officials, inspection processes and race officiating. Darby will continue to fulfill his previous role until his replacement is named.

Nelson Piquet Jr is set to make his American stock car racing debut in the ARCA season-opener at Daytona next month.

AUTOSPORT has learned that the former Renault Formula 1 driver, who announced last week he would be switching to NASCAR, will drive the #6 Toyota Camry in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for series champion Eddie Sharp Racing at Daytona on 6 February.

The Brazilian will join IndyCar star Danica Patrick in what is expected to be one of the most high-profile ARCA events ever. Multiple Motocross champion turned stock car racer Ricky Carmichael and IndyCar’s Milka Duno are among other notable names entering the race.

Piquet plans to make his debut in NASCAR-sanctioned racing a week later in the Truck Series round at the same track, where he is expected to drive the #1 Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing. His full plans for the rest of the season still have to be finalised, but he expects to continue to race in different series throughout the year.

“It’s the first year. It’s a lot of learning for me. I’m going to be doing races here, races there – as many races as I can just to get used to these kinds of cars and the tracks,” said Piquet.

“If it starts going well, then I’ll maybe do even more races or maybe do higher levels, like maybe even Nationwide. It is all going to depend on how quick I learn everything and how well I get involved with the team.”

Before competing at Daytona, Piquet will have a hectic racing schedule, which includes the Interlagos 1000km endurance race in his native Brazil next weekend, followed by the Free State 500 stock car race at the Phakisa Freeway in South Africa a week later.