Raikkonen enjoys first NASCAR test

According to a release from Raikkonen's ICE1 Racing, the Finn completed over 400 laps at the half-mile Gresham Motorsports Park oval, working with KBM's engineers on various set up adjustments to familiarize himself with his new technical environment.

"It was a lot of fun, I really had no expectations or anything to compare it to beforehand but at the end of the day, I am really looking forward to the first race," said Raikkonen. "It seems like KBM is a top team and I am excited to work with them."

As AUTOSPORT reported earlier, Kyle Busch was on hand to see the progress of the former Formula 1 world champion, who left a great impression on the team on what was his first run on a stock car, and also his maiden outing on an oval.

"On one hand, I am obviously not surprised at all with the type of experience Kimi has and his championship pedigree," said Kyle Busch Motorsports General Manager Rick Ren. "But on the other hand, I am very pleasantly surprised."

Although the team initially announced last Saturday that they had signed Raikkonen himself, ICE1 Racing's release says it has entered a partnership with KBM to run a limited race schedule for the Finn in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, starting on May 20 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

On Wednesday, American brand Perky Jerky was also announced as a sponsor of Raikkonen for his NASCAR foray.

Last October the same brand had been announced as a sponsor for Richard Petty Motorsports, while the team was still under ownership from George Gillett Jr.

His son Foster was linked to Raikkonen's NASCAR move initially, according to reports from Finland's Turun Sanomat, but Kyle Busch denied last weekend at Martinsville having any contact with him to put Raikkonen's deal in place.