Project 91 Still Alive Hints Trackhouse Owner Marks

The project debuted in 2022, with 2007 F1 Champion Kimi Raikkonen at Watkins Glen, before the ‘Iceman’ returned for another drive at COTA in 2023. It showed just how successful the project could be in drawing in different racing audiences. 

On the performance side, it was so good that Trackhouse Racing delivered Supercars legend Shane van Gisbergen the perfect launching platform for his win in Chicago on his NASCAR debut in 2023. The drive had an impact so massive that the Kiwi shifted to America to drive full-time for the team. 

SVG now stands with seven Cup wins to his name, the most for a Trackhouse Racing driver.

The last attempt at Project 91 was by four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who took the wheel at the 2025 Daytona 500. That drive showed that Trackhouse is willing to adapt to the special driver’s racing styles. Hence, a road course for Raikkonen and SVG and an oval for IndyCar veteran Castroneves. 

Trackhouse-Red Bull deal key to next 91 driver?

Ahead of the 2026 season, there was major news for the Concord-based team. It expanded its partnership with Red Bull, adding further support than their smaller entry-point partnership for 2025.

This year, a Trackhouse car will feature a Red Bull livery at 25 races. The drives in the Red Bull livery are being split between rookie Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet and Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Chevrolet. 

While there are no names confirmed, imagining the impact of the partnership between Trackhouse Racing Team and Red Bull, it wouldn’t be too far a stretch to throw a particular four-time F1 champion’s name into the universe for Project 91.

NASCAR fans would love to see more world-class drivers in their sport, be it IndyCar or F1 drivers. One driver who has recently been vocal about a possible early F1 retirement is Max Verstappen. 

The Dutch driver signed on with Red Bull as a 16-year-old, and since then, every car he has driven, be it F1 or GT cars, Red Bull has been a common factor everywhere. With his threat of retirement looming large over Formula 1, it wouldn’t be the wildest claim that Verstappen would want to try his hand at NASCAR. 

Though the Dutchman has previously stated that he is averse to oval racing, Trackhouse, through its Red Bull partnership, could be the ideal fit even for a one-off road/street race in the 91. Plus, Verstappen may remember a certain Hendrick Motorsports driver, Kyle Larson, who suggested that he is a better all-around driver than him. 

One can only hope, right? Who do you think will drive the #91 next?

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