Magnussen set for NASCAR debut with Trackhouse Racing

Kevin Magnussen will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut on June 21, stepping into Trackhouse Racing's Project 91 entry for the inaugural street race in San Diego. The former Formula 1 driver adds stock-car racing to a career that already includes F1, IndyCar, WEC, and endurance classics like Le Mans and Daytona.

Why it matters:

This debut continues Project 91's mission to attract internationally renowned drivers into NASCAR. Shane van Gisbergen stunned the racing world by winning his Cup debut in Chicago in 2023, setting a high bar for guest appearances. For Magnussen, it's a chance to test his adaptability in a completely different discipline — heavier cars, physical racing, and unfamiliar strategy.

The details:

• Magnussen will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, joining a stable that includes Ross Chastain, van Gisbergen, and Connor Zilisch.
• He has already spent time at Trackhouse's North Carolina base for seat fitting, pit stop procedures, and meeting personnel. "They're an awesome group of people, incredibly dedicated," he said.
• Project 91 previously featured Kimi Räikkönen and Helio Castroneves. Van Gisbergen eventually made a full-time switch to NASCAR after his debut win.
• Magnussen left Formula 1 after the 2024 season. He now competes full-time in the WEC with BMW M Team WRT and recently finished second at Spa.

What's next:

The San Diego street race on June 21 will be a major unknown for Magnussen. NASCAR's strategy and racing style differ vastly from European single-seaters. Whether he becomes the next Project 91 success story remains to be seen, but his willingness to embrace new challenges is clear. The debut will also gauge interest in further NASCAR opportunities.