Trackhouse founder and owner, Justin Marks, launched Project 91 in 2022 with a bold vision. He wanted to bring world-class international talent into NASCAR\u2019s top ranks. The initiative debuted with 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen, who took the wheel at Watkins Glen in 2022 and again at Circuit of the Americas in 2023. But what started as a one-off experiment evolved quickly.<\/p>\n
A single Project 91 race in 2023 grew into a standout Xfinity Series season in 2024, and by 2025, Shane van Gisbergen had turned it into a record-breaking NASCAR Cup Series campaign. Now, that momentum isn\u2019t slowing down.<\/p>\n
Last Friday, SVG and Trackhouse Racing confirmed a multiyear contract extension, cementing their long-term plans. The deal sets the stage for van Gisbergen to chase even bigger milestones, and for Project 91 to further its mission of blending global racing pedigree with NASCAR\u2019s competitive edge.<\/p>\n
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Shane van Gisbergen: From one-off to full-time success<\/p>\n
When Shane van Gisbergen jumped into NASCAR with a one-off debut at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, he had no idea it would open the door to a whole new career. \u201cWhen I did that Chicago race, I had no intention of coming over here. Obviously, it went very well,\u201d he said. And that understatement would go down as one of the biggest storylines in recent NASCAR history.<\/p>\n
That thrilling win in Chicago wasn\u2019t a fluke. SVG<\/strong><\/a> quickly followed it up with a drive in the TSport 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, his truck series debut, where he placed 19th and found the experience exhilarating. \u201cI really loved the truck race at IRP. I got 15th or 16th\u2026 it was so much fun and I was at a point where I was ready to try something else and I\u2019m so glad that I did,<\/strong>\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n View this post on Instagram\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The move paid off. In 2024, he stepped into a full-time Xfinity Series role with Kaulig Racing driving the No. 97 car. And this laid the groundwork for 2025. Van Gisbergen became a full-time Cup Series driver for Trackhouse Racing<\/strong><\/a>, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet. And what a year it\u2019s been!<\/p>\n Van Gisbergen has catapulted to the top with incredible runs. He has secured playoff qualification and dominated road courses with wins in Mexico City, the Chicago Street Course, Sonoma, and his most recent triumph at Watkins Glen. Shane van Gisbergen has become the winningest foreign-born driver in NASCAR history. Talk about a better rookie year than this.<\/p>\n Reflecting on Trackhouse\u2019s decision to extend his contract<\/a>, SVG didn\u2019t hesitate: \u201cI am so happy when Justin offered to extend\u2026 it was a no-brainer. I can see myself here for a long time to come.\u201d The sentiment underscores how seamlessly he\u2019s embraced this new chapter and how integral he\u2019s become to the team\u2019s future. And it\u2019s clear that for SVG, this isn\u2019t just a career pivot. Rather, it\u2019s the start of what could be a defining legacy in NASCAR.<\/p>\n Only a \u201cconspiracy\u201d could stop Shane van Gisbergen<\/p>\n When it comes to NASCAR road courses in the Next Gen era, Shane van Gisbergen has already established himself as the guy to beat. And Denny Hamlin<\/strong><\/a>, never one to shy away from a witty jab, made it clear that anyone else standing in SVG\u2019s way might need more than skill to win. \u201cWe need a conspiracy,\u201d Hamlin joked on the Actions Detrimental podcast, suggesting that unless something dramatic sidelines the Kiwi, the rest of the field might just be racing for second.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n\n