Herbert Eyes NASCAR Move

Herbert's representatives have been talking to an American group looking to buy an existing NASCAR team and launch a new attack in America's premier racing category in 2006.

The 41-year-old, who drove his last Grand Prix in 2000, told Autosport-Atlas in Istanbul: "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. 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."

Herbert admits that he is missing racing and is not intimidated by either NASCAR or it's multi-race calendar. 

"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. They know all these little moves you can do based around the aero effects and I've been watching some races to see how they play the game. But, until it's all a bit more concrete I don't want to be going out there talking to people about it."

Champ Car ace Paul Tracy, who raced Formula Fords against Herbert 20 years ago, has also expressed an interest in NASCAR, as has Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon.

"I do miss competitive racing, that's for sure," Herbert grinned. "NASCAR's a hell of a lot of racing I admit, starting at Daytona in February and going through to November, but I'm not too worried. It would be a nice way to extend my career."