Papis to race in ASCAR with HTML

Frontrunning team HTML will run the 32-year-old Italian, who has also won the Daytona 24 Hours and taken part in the IRL IndyCar Series. Papis tested earlier this year for the Evernham Motorsports NASCAR Winston Cup team, as he eyes a switch to stock cars in the future.

"I am pleased to have my stock car debut in an ASCAR," said Papis, who has previously raced at Rockingham in Champ Cars. "After the first test I had with Travis Carter and the recent test in an Evernham Motorsports Dodge Winston Cup car, I believe the Days of Thunder series will enhance my knowledge about these cars and the competition in this type of racing."

HTML team boss Jonathan Heynes said: "We're delighted to have Max race with us - he's a true motorsport hero and a big coup for us. I'm certain he will be a major factor in the Days of Thunder series and driving alongside his new team-mate Roland Rehfeld, who won the last round at Rockingham, we have one of the strongest driver line-ups imaginable."

Rockingham CEO Ashley Pover commented: "Max signing up with the HTML team demonstrates the Days of Thunder Series is a true challenge for the highest standard of driver. It also clearly confirms the international status of the Days of Thunder racing series, with drivers from across the world racing both at Rockingham and at Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany,"