Kimi Raikkonen to make NASCAR Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing, PROJECT91 at Watkins Glen

Trackhouse Racing

     PROJECT91, created by Trackhouse Racing, is wasting no time since the launch of the quest to open up new NASCAR opportunities for international racing stars. 

It was announced on Thursday morning (05/26/2022), that 2007 Formula One champion Kimi "Iceman" Raikkonen will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen International, on Sunday August 21st. Raikkonen will become the first driver to experience the work put in by Trackhouse Racing, to create the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro entry also known as "PROJECT91".

This will not be his first venture in the NASCAR world. He competed in the Xfinity and Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2011.

PROJECT91 plans to bring Raikkonen to the Trackhouse Racing shop in Concord, North Carolina for preparations. Darian Grubb, winner of 23 Cup races and the 2011 champion crew chief, will lead be leading Raikkonen’s team.

“I wasn’t looking to race again, but Justin (Marks) came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch program,” said Raikkonen. “This will be fun, but it’s something I will take very seriously. I know how competitive the NASCAR Cup Series is and it will be a big challenge.”

Raikkonen retired from Formula One in 2021 after competing with the Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo teams since he started in 2001. The native of Espoo, Finland won 21 races and stood on 103 podiums in his F1 career. His Formula One highlight came in 2007 when he won the F1 World Driving title for Scuderia Ferrari.

Justin Marks said Raikkonen’s entry at Watkins Glen International is the only PROJECT91 race planned for 2022 but expects more races in 2023 for the No. 91 entry with additional drivers.

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