Euro NASCAR racer Zimmer targets Late-Model switch

Yann Zimmer, a Franco-Swiss driver who is trying to become the first NASCAR Whelen Euro Series driver to reach NASCAR Sprint Cup, completed a test last week in a Nelson Motorsports-prepared NASCAR late model at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va.

Zimmer, 25, quickly got up to speed and before the test was over he had equaled the time Matt Bowling set of 15.8 seconds (90.7mph) to win the pole for a 200-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race at the four-tenths-mile paved oval back in August.

Zimmer's test with the Martinsville, Va.-based team came after a successful crowd-funding campaign that began last May.

"Yann is a driver with plenty of talent, and his place is with our team," said Barry Nelson, owner of Nelson Motorsports. "I'm convinced that he will be able to gather around him the people who support him and who are prepared to join with us."

"In a team of such a high level, I could have felt the pressure – but no, everybody tried to put me at ease," Zimmer said. "I really feel like I belong to this big family. I'm totally motivated and feel confident in this world, although it is new to me. I'm excited for the next test sessions in February and for the first races in March."