WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) – NASCAR Cup star Tony Stewart and Formula One standout Lewis Hamilton have finished their car swap at Watkins Glen International.
After both drivers took warmup laps in their own cars on Tuesday, Hamilton hopped in Stewart’s familiar No. 14, spun the tires as he left pit road, and turned six laps over the 3.4-mile long course on rain tires. The track was slowly drying after a morning rain. When he was finished, Hamilton did an impressive burnout as the fans roared their approval.
Stewart then got into the McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 that Hamilton drove to the 2009 F1 title, and after slowly leaving the pits began an impressive four-lap spin. Speeds and times were not released.
Both were all smiles afterward, as was track president Michael Printup, who pegged the crowd for the free event from 8,000 to 10,000.
Watkins Glen hosted F1’s U.S. Grand Prix from 1961-80, and since then the fans who attend races here have only heard the distinctive roar of those high-revving motors during vintage events.
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