Kevin Magnussen will make his NASCAR debut when the series heads to San Diego to compete at Naval Base Coronado. This will be the first time NASCAR will race on this road course. Magnussen will drive for Trackhouse Racing in the Project 91 car.
Project 91 was introduced by Trackhouse owner Justin Marks as an opportunity for international drivers to compete at NASCAR’s top series. Magnussen will be the fourth driver to step foot in this car since its debut in 2022.
Kimi Raikkonen was the first driver to make the jump into the Cup Series in Trackhouse’s 91, racing at Watkins Glen in 2022. He finished 37th in that race, but that wouldn’t be the last time he attempted a Cup Series race. Raikkonen also drove at COTA in 2023, finishing 29th.
Shane Van Gisbergen is the most famous driver to succeed in the Project 91 car, with his early success finding him a full-time Cup Series ride. He drove the 91 in the first-ever NASCAR race on the streets in Chicago, bringing it to victory lane. He can back a few weeks later, finishing 10th at the Indianapolis Road Course.
Helio Castroneves is the most recent driver to attempt a race in Trackhouse’s 91. The four-time Indy 500 winner attempted the Daytona 500 in 2025. His race finished in the early stages of the race, resulting in a 39th place finishing position.
Magnussen is a very experienced Formula One driver, making 185 starts over ten years in the series. He competed for three teams in his F1 career, including McLaren, Renault, and most recently HAAS.
Magnussen achieved just one podium in his career, a feat he accomplished in his first season with McLaren (2014). He went on to become one of the most respected drivers throughout his career. His career came to an end after the 2024 season when he was replaced at HAAS by rising star Oliver Bearman.
Magnussen will have a chance to revive his racing career with a strong performance at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The playing field will never be as equal, as no one will have experience on the track. Van Gisbergen benefited from this in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Chicago; could Magnussen do the same on Sunday?
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