Trackhouse Racing may be a relatively new entity in motorsports, having entered the NASCAR Cup Series just four years ago, but its rapid growth and ambitions are nothing short of impressive. Founded in 2021 by Justin Marks, the team started humbly as a one-car operation, leasing a charter from Spire Motorsports. They brought in Daniel Suárez to drive the #99 car, marking their official debut. The team’s early success paved the way for expansion, as they soon added Ross Chastain in 2022, who took the team to the Championship 4 in his first season.
Marks, however, was not content to stop there. The same year, he introduced ‘Project 91,’ a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring drivers from other racing disciplines to NASCAR for one-off events. This bold move led to Kimi Räikkönen, the legendary Formula One World Champion, making his Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen in 2022. Since then, Trackhouse Racing has continued to push boundaries, venturing beyond NASCAR into MotoGP and now gearing up to add a third car to their NASCAR Cup lineup for the 2025 season.
Project 91: A Gateway for Global Stars
At the heart of Trackhouse’s strategy is Project 91, the brainchild of Justin Marks. The initiative has already brought big names like Kimi Räikkönen and Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) into the NASCAR world. SVG, a three-time Supercars champion, made waves when he won his debut NASCAR race at the Chicago Street Course in 2023, proving the success of Marks’ vision. He was subsequently given a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series, where he’s currently dominating, with three wins under his belt and a strong championship bid in progress.
Marks recently shared more about his long-term vision for Trackhouse on the “Happy Hour” podcast, stating, “I put a lot of value in doing things in a way that captures the interest of fans and is newsworthy. That’s why I started Project 91—to bring in Kimi and Shane, and there’s more to come. We want to create moments on the track that are thrilling and different from anything fans have seen before.”
Trackhouse Racing’s plans extend beyond NASCAR. During the podcast, Marks hinted at the team’s possible entry into the Rolex 24, the prestigious 24-hour endurance race at Daytona. Given Marks’ personal history with the event—having competed in it around 15 or 16 times and even winning in 2009—the possibility of seeing a Trackhouse car at Daytona is high.
He expressed his deep connection to the event, saying, “The 24-hour Daytona is, in my opinion, the greatest race in the world. I’ve raced there numerous times, and it holds a special place in my heart.”
Marks also has his sights set on the IndyCar Series. The Indianapolis 500 is a race he believes would align perfectly with the Trackhouse brand. While SVG could be a natural choice to represent the team, Marks hinted that he may prefer to partner with an established IndyCar team rather than build one from scratch. “We have a unique marketing program in place for something like that, but we need the right partner to make it happen,” Marks shared.
While NASCAR and IndyCar are clearly on Trackhouse’s radar, Marks is also keeping a close eye on Formula One. Although not confirmed, Marks has hinted that the team has been in discussions about a possible expansion into F1. He acknowledged the challenges, noting the saturation of commercial partnerships in Formula One and the significant investments made by multi-billion-dollar equity firms. However, Marks remains optimistic about finding the right opportunity.
“Formula One is intriguing,” he said. “We’re having conversations and exploring where there might be opportunities, but it’s a crowded space right now.”
Trackhouse Racing’s meteoric rise is a testament to Justin Marks’ bold leadership and innovative approach to motorsports. Whether it’s bringing global stars into NASCAR through Project 91, eyeing endurance races like the Rolex 24, or exploring open-wheel racing in IndyCar and Formula One, Marks is determined to make Trackhouse a force to be reckoned with in the racing world.
As Marks continues to push the envelope, fans can only speculate what’s next for Trackhouse Racing. Will they enter F1? Who will drive for them at the Indianapolis 500? And which international star will be the next to join the ranks of Project 91?
For now, one thing is certain: Trackhouse Racing is on a path to becoming one of the most exciting teams in motorsports, and Justin Marks isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
