Townsville Supercars: NASCAR vehicle driving on Reid Park track

The latest addition to the jam-packed offerings at the Townsville V8s? A NASCAR vehicle hitting the track.

The third-generation racer Jett Johnson will drive a genuine NASCAR vehicle, the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS, around the Reid Park track as part of the NTI Townsville 500 in July. Picture: EDGE Photographics/Jack Martin

Supercars fans raring and revving for even more horsepower will get to see a genuine NASCAR Chevrolet V8 hit the Townsville track next month.

The NTI Townsville 500 begins July 7.

Third generation and 18-year-old driver Jett Johnson will take to Reid Park in a NASCAR-raced NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS for demonstration laps.

The third-generation racer Jett Johnson will drive a genuine NASCAR vehicle around the Reid Park track as part of the NTI Townsville 500 in July. Picture: EDGE Photographics/Jack Martin

The NASCAR vehicle was built for oval racing, however Mr Johnson drove it in Adelaide earlier this year.

Chase Elliot drove the V8 on the American circuit and it was imported to Australia three years ago for promotions.

Mr Johnson’s father Steven was a Supercars winner and grandfather Dick Johnson is in the hall of fame. The hall inductee raced NASCAR in the 1980s.

Anton de Pasquale driver of the #11 Shell V-Power Racing Ford Mustang during race 2 of the Townsville 500 round of the 2022 Supercars Championship Season at Reid Park in 2022. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

The youngest Johnson said Townsville fans will love seeing the car.

“ … it’s all American – it’s loud, it looks good and it’s going to be very cool to race on track. I’m sure that all of the fans are going to love it.

“I’ve driven this car on a few occasions and it is so much fun. It’s loud, it moves around and I’m super excited to do a couple of extra laps over and above what I’m doing in Super3.”

Chase Elliot climbs into his car in North Carolina. A car he drove on the NASCAR circuit will be driven in demonstration laps in Townsville next month. Picture: Robert Laberge/Getty Images

He is currently third in the Super3 standings, and says he enjoys Reid Park.

“It’s such a cool track, such a cool environment, and when it comes to racing it’s just so much fun,” Mr Johnson said.

Anyone heading to Reid Park won’t be short of entertainment options.

A 500-drone lightshow will launch after a show by The Ministry of Sound Orchestra.

Originally published as Townsville Supercars: NASCAR vehicle driving on Reid Park track