During the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship Series, Jarno Trulli competed in the 700 horsepower, 18,000 RPM Toyota RVX-09, 2-4-liter V8-powerd 1,331-pound TF109 Toyota F1 car. Recently, the Italian with 219 career F1 starts to his name flew to Florida and found himself at the tiny 0.47 asphalt oval known as New Smyrna Speedway. A National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing venue that normally hosts NASCAR Tour Type Modified and Super Late Models, the former Monaco Grand Prix winner was on hand to test an 800-horsepower, 358 cubic inch V8-motivated 3,500 pound NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing.

In typical hot and humid Florida conditions, Trulli pounded out over 400 laps, and when all was said and he climbed out of the lion’s mouth that is a Cup car, Trulli was thrilled.

"It's very exciting," smiled Trulli "I guess this is not the kind of track where you want to race with 43 cars. It would be a bit difficult and tricky. I'm the kind of driver who prefers a more high-speed circuit, rolling the car through the high-speed corner, let the car roll, not stopping it too much like here.

"But at least I had the test here, so I know what the feeling is and I'm enjoying it, I'm really enjoying it. It would be nice to enjoy the race, because Juan Pablo [Montoya] told me the race is even better because you keep fighting every time."

While keenly aware that moving to America and trying to climb his way up the NASCAR would be a daunting task, Trulli believed that with the right people and resources behind him, he could excel in the purely American form of racing.

"I think it's very important to have a team that teaches you, in order to get everything better and better," said Trulli. "Like today, I had several people telling me and my steps were rapid, quicker and quicker.

"I think if you have someone teaching you, I think you can make it. Make it means challenging the top people, because winning is another story. It's really difficult."

One time McLaren engineer Steve Hallam, now MWR's executive vice president for competition, as well as Toyota Sprint Cup program manager Andy Graves, were on-hand in Florida to watch Trulli and both men came away impressed.

"Jarno has Mika have done really well," said Hallam. "He delivered competitive lap times and brings a different perspective to our ears. We are able to hear about the cars in a different way.

Team owner Michael Waltrip was also pleasantly surprised by Trulli’s 400-lap test, stating, "He did an outstanding job and was turning some pretty quick times".