Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program, aimed at expanding international reach, has attracted global talent and sparked international interest in NASCAR.
Trackhouse Racing, co-owned by Justin Marks, introduced the Project 91 program in May 2022. The initiative aimed to broaden the team’s international presence by fielding the part-time No. 91 Chevrolet entry in the NASCAR Cup Series, specifically for international racing drivers. The program has already seen success with the participation of Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen. As the program progresses, Trackhouse Racing is now considering its future and how it can continue to leverage the power of the Project 91 brand.
The Success of Project 91:
The first driver to participate in Project 91 was Kimi Raikkonen, who competed in Cup races at Watkins Glen International in 2022 and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, during the 2023 season. Raikkonen’s involvement brought attention and excitement to the program. Following Raikkonen’s debut, three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen joined Project 91 and made an impressive debut by winning the inaugural Chicago Street Race. Van Gisbergen’s victory solidified his position within Trackhouse Racing’s developmental program, which will see him compete in select races across all three NASCAR national series in the upcoming season.
The Future of Project 91:
While Project 91 has achieved its initial goals of winning a race and attracting international talent to NASCAR, Trackhouse Racing is considering the program’s future. Co-owner Justin Marks expressed his desire to keep the program alive, acknowledging its power as a brand and its appeal to fans. Discussions are currently underway within the organization to determine what Project 91 will look like in the upcoming year.
The International Impact:
Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative, along with NASCAR’s Garage 56 entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, has sparked a surge of international interest in NASCAR. The collaboration with Stewart-Haas Racing led to the participation of 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button and his Garage 56 teammate, Mike Rockenfeller, in several Cup series races. Additionally, Kamui Kobayashi, the 2021 Le Mans 24 overall winner, competed on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course with Toyota’s 23XI Racing. The international influx continued with the Cup debut of Brodie Kostecki, the 2023 Supercars champion, who raced for Richard Childress Racing at Indy.
Conclusion:
Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program has successfully achieved its mission of activating the intersection between NASCAR racing and the global motorsport culture. With the participation of renowned international drivers like Kimi Raikkonen and Shane van Gisbergen, Project 91 has brought excitement to fans and garnered attention for NASCAR. As discussions continue within Trackhouse Racing, the future of Project 91 holds the potential for further expansion and the continued integration of international talent into the NASCAR world.
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