Ekström to test at VIR on behalf of Red Bull Racing

Red Bull driver and two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekström will drive the No. 83 on Tuesday at Virginia International Raceway to provide the team testing support for the upcoming road race in Sonoma, Calif.

Ekström

Both of the Red Bull Toyotas will test at VIR -- a road course of varying configurations and distances in southern Virginia.

"With Brian Vickers sidelined for the rest of the season, we needed a road-racing expert to help prepare the No. 83 for Sonoma," said Jay Frye, RBRT vice president.

"We appreciate Mattias' willingness to help out and we look forward to his insight."

Ekström, a Red Bull-backed driver for the past nine years, heads to the States after claiming his first victory of 2010 in Sunday's second round of the DTM Championship in Valencia, Spain.

"It's no secret that the NASCAR series fascinates me," Ekström said. "It's been a long-harbored dream of mine to drive such a car."

Tuesday's test at VIR is private and not open to the public.