Vergers tests ARCA car at Talladega

The Dutchman was at the wheel of a Schacht Motorsports Ford Taurus ARCA racer, the stock car class which is two steps down from the premier NASCAR Winston Cup. He was said to have lapped the 2.6-mile tri-oval quicker than last year's pole and race winner Bobby Gerhart for most of the session.

"This was the first opportunity I've had to run the car I will race at Daytona," said Vergers, who will make his ARCA competition debut in Florida on April 10.

He added that he was impressed with Talladega. "Although the track is bigger than Daytona it is more technically challenging and the driver is required to work a little harder. I am looking forward to getting on to some of the shorter tracks where we can get rid of the restrictor plates."

Vergers is planning to do eight ARCA races in the US this year after racing in the British ASCAR stock car series last year. "This is a completely different style of racing to what I'm used to and I am going to have to be patient," he said. "Everyone in the team is being really supportive and if I get some breaks in the race and the car feels good, I will be trying as hard as anyone for a win."