His No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was first driven last weekend at Watkins Glen by 2007 Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who finished in the top 10 before crashing in the final stages.
The stated intent of Project 91 is to allow “world-class drivers from other disciplines to compete at the highest level in NASCAR.” Trackhouse has fielded two full-time Cup Series racing teams, with drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez both winning races in 2022.
Marks confirmed that Raikkonen’s competition will be the only entry for this year’s Project 91, but he intends to expand its scope in the future.
“This is really our opportunity to build this program; see how it impacts the company’s operations to deploy the third part-time car,” Marks said. “I keep telling people we didn’t hire a single person for this project. Trackhouse has a lot of people who have spent a half time on this task.
Time 3rd car, as far as the operation of the company , go ahead. It will be the only event of the year.”
After crashing in Sunday’s race, Raikkonen was asked if he would be back in the car again in the future, he replied Say “we” look, I don’t know. ”
marks indicate that NASCAR has added a road race schedule , enabling him to drive for well-known European stars as their transition to the next generation of cars won’t be as tricky as preparing for the Oval.
“The road course is what makes a car like Kimi The perfect place for people to come in just because of the road course experience,” he said.
“I think it’s a quicker learning curve and they can accelerate faster than going to the oval. . ”
Kimi Raikkonen, TrackHouse Racing, Recogni Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
That said, Marks said he would not limit the program to Road course events, and he could aim for a showcase race on the larger oval. Meanwhile, four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves has expressed willingness to try NASCAR racing, and he has already participated in a Tony Stewart-produced short for TV Oval SRX Series.
“Ultimately, Program 91 is a program that runs on all road courses during the season and then may run at some major [Oval] events like Dayto A Na 500, a Coca-Cola 600 or something like that,” Max said. “I think at some point you race so much that you have to think about actually sending a third full-time car.
“But I think for Project 91, that’s the game plan for six to eight maybe next year and beyond. It’s a brand extension of Trackhouse.
” I think We can be very unique in terms of content, in terms of merchandise, and create great stories. This is where I want to see. “
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