[autotag]Trackhouse Racing[/autotag] introduced Project91 for the 2023 NASCAR season, and it has turned one driver’s career in a totally different direction. Shane van Gisbergen won the inaugural Chicago Street Course event in the NASCAR Cup Series, which has now landed him a full-time seat in the top level with Trackhouse Racing.
However, Project91 didn’t return for the 2024 season. Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks joined the Race Industry Week session, which aired on SPEED SPORT’s YouTube channel, and discussed the future of Project91 moving forward.
“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. I think that’s really fun and one that’s resonated with a lot of people.”
RETWEET to congratulate @shanevg97!
HE WINS @NASCAR's first street race in his Cup Series debut! #NASCARChicago pic.twitter.com/DkGK9kJfZ4
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2023
“I mean, a ton of opportunity. 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 [Shane van Gisbergen]…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.”
Project91 is amazing for NASCAR and if Trackhouse Racing can bring it back, it will benefit the entire sport. Marks was able to land race deals with van Gisbergen and Kimi Raikkonen. It remains to be seen who Trackhouse Racing could bring over for a race in the Cup Series, but NASCAR will benefit from any new presence in its top level.
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