Magnussen to make NASCAR debut in Trackhouse's PROJECT91 entry in San Diego

Kevin Magnussen will make a foray into NASCAR later this month as Trackhouse Racing brings out the PROJECT91 entry for the inaugural event in San Diego.

Qualcomm will support the effort. It will be Magnussen’s debut in the Cup Series.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete in NASCAR,” Magnussen said. “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.” 

Magnussen made 185 Grand Prix starts across two stints in F1, and currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and select IMSA races with BMW M Team WRT. A native of Denmark, Magnussen has also made a start in the NTT IndyCar Series.

NASCAR will race on the Coronado Naval Base on June 19-21.

Trackhouse Racing last ran the PROJECT91 team in the Daytona 500 with Helio Castroneves. The team has run five previous races since debuting in 2022. 

“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,” Magnussen continued. “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.”

 Magnussen will be in a fourth car for the San Diego event alongside Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen, and rookie Connor Zilisch. Phil Surgen will be the team’s crew chief. Surgen came off the road this season after spending the last five years guiding Chastain’s team. 

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring back PROJECT91 again this year, especially at San Diego,” said team owner Justin 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 Magnuessen is a global driver, and both are elements we look for when it comes to running PROJECT91.”

The entry does have a Cup Series win, which came in 2023 on the streets of Chicago when van Gisbergen made his NASCAR debut.