NASCAR heavyweight eyes V8Supercars

NASCAR racing legend Richard Childress, left, is rumoured to be looking at a move into V8 Supercars. Photo / AP

Top NASCAR team owner Richard Childress is reportedly eyeing a move into V8 Supercars.

The American businessman and former racer is said to be looking to buy a team in Australia or at least establish a technical partnership with an outfit in the category.

Childress and Richard Gilmore, chief operating officer at Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines, confirmed to motoring.com.au their interest but did not reveal specifics.

"Rumours, damn rumours," he said at Sonoma Raceway in California.

"I'll add some truth to those rumours."

Childress operates three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams, as well as an advanced engine development centre and a lenghty list of high-profile coporate alliances.

Gilmore said, with NASCAR expected to introduce technical advances in engine development from 2015 or 2016, the move Down Under would be beneficial.

"If that happens, we see NASCAR becoming more closely aligned with V8 Supercars and using similar engine technologies," he said.

The news follows American motorsport legend Roger Penske's much-publicised bid to link up with a V8 Supercars team from next season.

Penske, who has been in Australia this month, is believed to be in negotiations over a possible merger with Dick Johnson Racing.

V8 Supercars boss James Warburton told the website he had no knowledge of Childress' interest, but has previously expressed his desire to include two back-to-back rounds in the US in 2015.

-AAP