"Project 91 is not dead” - Ross Chastain's boss Justin Marks drops hint at addition of drivers from around the world

Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks recently shared his thoughts on the possible return of 'Project 91' in the 2025 NASCAR season. After Shane van Gisbergen's success elevated the organization's program, Marks believes the #91 Chevy would hit the track "sooner rather than later."

Project 91 was launched in 2022 when the Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen raced at the Go Bowling at The Glen event at Watkins Glen International road course, followed by the 2023 Circuit of the Americas in Texas.

On the other hand, another international driver, Gisbergen, competed in the 2023 inaugural Chicago Street Circuit race and found the victory lane on his NASCAR debut. Moreover, the Kiwi has bagged a full-time Cup ride with Trackhouse after finishing his rookie Xfinity season.

Keeping in mind Gisbergen's success in the NASCAR series, the 43-year-old Marks opened up his team's effort in making this program a "real thing" in the sport. Speaking with Brad Gillie, Marks said (via SpeedSport):

"Project91 is certainly not dead. 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 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.[...] 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."

Shane van Gisbergen at 2023 Grant Park 220 - Source: Imagn

In his rookie season, van Gisbergen secured three wins in the Xfinity Series, driving the #97 Chevy for Kaulig Racing in a technical alliance with Trackhouse. Moreover, the four-year-old Concord-based organization earned its eighth win when Ross Chastain took the checkered flag at the playoff race in Kansas Speedway.

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"I am very proud of this organization": Justin Marks on eighth win in three years for Trackhouse Racing team

Ross Chastain at the 2024 Hollywood Casino 400 - Source: Imagn

Trackhouse Racing currently fields two full-time Cup Series entries driven by the No. 99 Chevy driver Daniel Suarez and the No. 1 Chevy by Ross Chastain.

In his third full-time season with Justin Marks and American rapper Pitbull-owned team, Chastain brought home his fifth Cup Series win. Reflecting on achieving this feat, Marks said in September:

"I am very proud of this organization. 8th win in 3 years and 3rd season in a row with multiple drivers in VL. First win I’ve missed in person but watching our employees and partners celebrate and feel pride and happiness has absolutely filled my cup this evening. So happy for everyone that believes in and works hard for this organization. It’s all about them."

Despite missing out on the 2024 playoffs, Ross Chastain had shown impressive speed in his previous two seasons with Trackhouse and finished runner-up in the 2022 final Cup Series points standings.