Trackhouse Racing has announced that a long-time F1 star will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut this month at San Diego.

The race will be on a specially designed street course on Coronado Naval Base to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country and its Navy, and Trackhouse has brought its Project 91 entry out of the garage to mark the occasion.

The part-time entry was intended to give international drivers a taste of NASCAR, with former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen its first driver. Shane van Gisbergen was next at the Chicago Street Race in 2023, winning on debut, before Helio Castroneves became the last person to race the No. 91 at the Daytona 500 last year.

Kevin Magnussen will become the fourth driver of the No. 91 at San Diego, a nine-year F1 veteran who drove for McLaren, Haas and Renault in his 185-start career. He stopped driving full-time in F1 at the end of 2024, but has since served as a Haas test driver and now racing with BMW in WEC.

Team owner Justin Marks had teased the possibility of a Project 91 return earlier this year, sparking (as it turns out, unfounded) rumors that Max Verstappen could be the driver in question.

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F1 star Magnussen set for NASCAR debut

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Dane said: “I’m incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete in NASCAR. What Justin Marks and Trackhouse have done with Project 91 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.”

Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks added: “I’m thrilled to be able to bring back Project 91 again this year, especially at San Diego. We were waiting for the right opportunity with the right partner and driver to bring this Project 91 entry to fruition.

"[Sponsor] Qualcomm is a worldwide brand, and Kevin Magnussen is a global driver, and both are elements we look for when it comes to running Project 91.”

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