After its introduction into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, Trackhouse Racing’s Project91 entry has achieved success on and off the race track.
What started with former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen’s foray into Cup Series racing at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l in 2022 to Repco Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen stunning the series with a dominant victory at the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023, was a dormant program this year.
Speaking during Tuesday’s Race Industry Week session, which aired live on SPEED SPORT’s YouTube channel, Trackhouse co-owner Justin Marks confirmed that the entry has not seen its last laps at the track.
“Project91 is certainly not dead,” Marks said. “I would expect to see that on the race track sooner rather than later. What I love about it is… it’s like our first Project91 graduate.”
Van Gisbergen’s two-race stint with Project91 turned into a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series ride this year with the aid of Kaulig Racing. In 2025, the Kiwi will be a full-time Cup Series driver teamed with Trackhouse veterans Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez.
“We did this deal and turned it into from an amazing one-off or two-off, great little program in Project91 and turning into a real thing in the sport,” Marks said. “Some great star power, great new personalities, someone who’s committed full time and moved to the states, changed his complete life to be a Cup driver.
“I think that’s really fun and one that’s resonated with a lot of people.”
With Trackhouse’s goal of having a global reach with drawing in some of racing’s best in various racing disciplines, Marks stated there’s “a lot of opportunity” for what the future holds for Project91.
“I mean, a ton of opportunity,” Marks beamed. “I get phone calls all the time from some of the greatest drivers around the world about coming and doing it. That’s really exciting for us.
“The only reason that it wasn’t on the race track this year is that we just had so much going on with the third car that we prepared for a few races for SVG. Then helping him over at Kaulig. Kind of all this stuff going on. We just didn’t really have the bandwidth or time for it.
“But now as we’re kind of just focused again on our three cars next year full time, then Project91 can come back. I would expect to see it sooner rather than later.”