Trackhouse Racing launched PROJECT91 last season and entered its first race with Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen. The No. 91 car has been a hot topic of conversation since that point and now represents a gateway for international drivers to experience NASCAR.
With Raikkonen and the No. 91 car making its return for a 29th-place finish at Circuit of the Americas, the next race for the entry is already being looked at by those around the sport.
Trackhouse Racing has ‘done deal’ regarding the next race for the No. 91 car, won’t be Kimi Raikkonen
Trackhouse Racing has only entered the No. 91 car in two races thus far with Raikkonen as the driver for both. It has been a major boost for NASCAR and now represents an opportunity for the sport to grow.
Last weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas featured many big names including Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Jordan Taylor, Jimmie Johnson, and Conor Daly. It was one of the most stacked fields in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Justin Marks, the owner of Trackhouse Racing, went on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to discuss the future plans of PROJECT91 and his comments were incredibly exciting.
“(Trackhouse Racing) is gonna have a different driver in the (No. 91 car) the next time we’re out. We closed a great sponsor for that so the deal is done…It’s going to be somebody that has got very, very different experience from NASCAR, but in some ways is actually perfectly suited for a Cup race. This is somebody that has not raced in America very much at all but I think is going to go to this particular race and be able to make some real noise.”
Justin Marks on the next race for PROJECT 91 this season
This is going to be the first time that PROJECT91 features a driver outside of Raikkonen. Marks previously said that Trackhouse Racing will only focus on road courses with the No. 91 car so the next possible event would be at Sonoma Raceway on June 11.
However, the Chicago Street Course could be a better option since it is going to be one of the biggest events of the NASCAR season. With that said, our prediction is that Shane van Gisbergen will drive the No. 91 car in Chicago, IL.
Gisbergen has three Supercars championships with the most recent coming last season. The 33-year-old driver would be a brilliant fit and one that would excite many NASCAR fans in New Zealand.
Even though Gisbergen may not be the most popular name, there are other races that PROJECT91 will most likely enter in 2023. Continue reading to find out three bold drivers who should pilot the entry for Trackhouse Racing.
Related: Trackhouse Racing discusses big rumors of switching from Chevrolet to Toyota
3 bold candidates to drive the No. 91 car for Trackhouse Racing in 2023
Sebastian Vettel is a 35-year-old former Formula 1 driver who is considered one of the best drivers in series history. Vettel has 53 total victories along with his spectacular four consecutive titles.
Vettel recently expressed his desire for Formula 1 to race at Road America so racing in America is something that might interest him. The 35-year-old driver’s full-time racing career is likely over and he has already been offered an IndyCar test drive at Road America.
Next, Daniel Ricciardo is a 33-year-old Formula 1 reserve driver for Red Bull that has been a staple of the series since his breakout during the 2014 season. This is before he left Red Bull for Alpine after dueling with Max Verstappen.
Ricciardo has embraced the American culture at races, such as Circuit of the Americas and Miami, and would be a brilliant fit for the Trackhouse’s No. 91 car after his departure from Formula 1.
Finally, Valentino Rossi is widely considered one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. Rossi has compiled 115 wins and remains the only driver to win the 125, 250, 500, and MotoGP World Championships.
The nine-time World Champion would be a brilliant addition to the Trackhouse Racing No. 91 team for a few races. There might not be a more accomplished driver and it would certainly make headlines across the world.
It will be fascinating to see who will be linked to the No. 91 car for Trackhouse Racing and these are just a few of many options that would be incredible for NASCAR.