Kevin Magnussen is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing in the PROJECT91 entry at the San Diego street race on June 21. The move comes after weeks of speculation linking the former F1 driver to the #91 program, with the team confirming he will pilot the car at Naval Base Coronado.
Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks created PROJECT91 to expand the sport’s global reach. Since its debut in 2022, it has featured names like Kimi Räikkönen, Shane van Gisbergen, and Hélio Castroneves. Magnussen now becomes the latest addition, bringing a decade of F1 experience and endurance racing credentials into the Cup Series.
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“I’m incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete in NASCAR,” said Magnussen in a team statement. “What Justin Marks and Trackhouse have done with PROJECT91 is unique. To provide drivers from outside of the NASCAR world with a chance to compete at this level. I’m proud to have this opportunity.
“I’ve already spent time with the team in North Carolina, meeting everyone, doing the seat fit, going through pit stop procedures, and all the details that come with preparing for a NASCAR weekend. They’re an awesome group of people, incredibly dedicated, and just as excited about this debut as I am. I really can’t wait to get to San Diego and experience it all for the first time.”
The confirmation follows multiple insider reports earlier in the month that pointed toward Kevin Magnussen as the likely driver of the 91. He arrives after a 10-year F1 career, having raced for McLaren, Renault, and Haas, while also building a résumé in WEC and IMSA as a factory works driver for BMW. His transition into NASCAR adds another discipline to an already diverse career.
The San Diego race itself adds context to the move. NASCAR’s newest street circuit, set on a 3.4-mile street circuit within a military base, is built for spectacle and global attention. That aligns directly with Project 91’s purpose, making the June 21 event a natural fit for a high-profile international debut.
Justin Marks ‘thrilled’ to bring back PROJECT91 with Kevin Magnussen
Justin Marks had hinted at the return of PROJECT91 in recent months, and the San Diego event provided the right setting to activate it again. The program, which had remained inactive through the early part of 2026, now returns with a global driver and a major technology partner in place.
“I’m thrilled to be able to bring back PROJECT91 again this year, especially at San Diego,” said Marks. “We were waiting for the right opportunity with the right partner and driver to bring this PROJECT91 entry to fruition. Qualcomm is a worldwide brand, and Kevin Magnussen is a global driver, and both are elements we look for when it comes to running PROJECT91.”
The No. 91 entry will be backed by Qualcomm, with an added emphasis on data and AI integration to support race strategy and performance decisions. The technical collaboration is designed to assist engineers both on the track and remotely.
Phil Surgen will serve as crew chief for Kevin Magnussen, bringing experience from within the Trackhouse setup. On track, he will join full-time teammates Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch, and Shane van Gisbergen.
Edited by Anurup Chakraborty
