Trackhouse Racing: A New Era of Disruption in Motorsports

Trackhouse Racing made its debut as a NASCAR team in 2021, starting as a modest single-car operation that didn’t attract much attention. However, the landscape of NASCAR changed dramatically when the team acquired Chip Ganassi Racing entirely, an acquisition that sent shockwaves through the motorsport community. This bold move positioned Trackhouse as a significant contender in NASCAR and set the stage for their subsequent evolution.

Since that pivotal moment, Trackhouse has expanded its operations significantly. They now field three full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and have successfully signed some of the most promising talents in the stock car racing realm. Additionally, the team has ventured into MotoGP, establishing a squad backed by Aprilia for the upcoming 2024 season. They also made their mark in endurance racing, competing in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this year, where they secured a ninth-place finish in the GTD Pro class.

Recently, Trackhouse achieved another remarkable milestone by clinching victory in the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix with rider Raul Fernandez. This win marked an extraordinary moment for the team, as they hadn’t previously secured a podium finish in MotoGP before their triumph on Sunday.

With this impressive victory fresh in mind, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the instances when Trackhouse Racing, known for its disruptive presence in NASCAR, caught the motorsports world off guard.

The Project 91 Initiative: Bringing Global Racing Stars to NASCAR

One of the team’s most intriguing concepts is Project 91, which was conceived by Trackhouse founder Justin Marks. The idea behind Project 91 is to invite renowned international racing talents to participate in select NASCAR races. The initiative aims not only to widen the sport’s appeal but also to provide unique opportunities for these drivers.

Although Project 91 has only seen a handful of races, it has featured illustrious names such as Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, and three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen (SVG). The mere fact that these legendary drivers were on the NASCAR grid was enough to generate buzz and intrigue, merging diverse racing cultures.

SVG’s debut in NASCAR was nothing short of sensational. He made history by winning at the Chicago Street Course in 2023, becoming the first driver in over six decades to secure a victory in their very first NASCAR Cup Series race. This astounding achievement propelled him into the spotlight, leading him to abandon his Supercars career to pursue stock car racing full-time. SVG quickly adapted to the challenge, showcasing his talent on both ovals and road courses, where he achieved remarkable success.

Ross Chastain: The King of Viral Moments

The flagship driver for Trackhouse, Ross Chastain, has a knack for creating unforgettable moments on the track, both exhilarating and controversial. One of the most memorable incidents occurred during the 2022 season finale. At that time, Chastain was a Ganassi driver with no wins to his name when Trackhouse took over the team. He quickly changed that narrative with a dramatic victory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), marking Trackhouse’s inaugural win in NASCAR.

As the playoffs progressed, Chastain found himself on the brink of elimination, needing to make up two points to advance. Instead of bowing out gracefully, he executed a breathtaking maneuver. As the field braked for the tight Turns 3 and 4 at Martinsville, Chastain opted for an unconventional approach, upshifting to fifth gear and flooring the accelerator. He pinned his car against the outside wall, using it as a slingshot to propel himself past five competitors, shattering the track record in the process. His audacious move not only secured him a spot in the Championship 4 but also garnered over 200 million views on social media, captivating audiences far beyond the racing community.

Chastain’s boldness propelled Trackhouse to a runner-up finish in the championship race, with their team just 356 feet shy of claiming the title.

A Historic Three-Wide Finish: Daniel Suarez’s Remarkable Victory

Daniel Suarez, the first Mexican-born driver to win in the NASCAR Cup Series, has been a key figure for Trackhouse since its inception. In 2024, he etched his name into NASCAR history during an astonishing photo finish in Atlanta. In a thrilling climax, Suarez crossed the finish line in a three-wide battle against Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch, reminiscent of a scene from an animated movie.

Suarez’s triumph marked his first win on an oval track and made him the first foreign-born driver to secure an oval race victory in the Cup Series since Canadian Earl Ross’s achievement in 1974. The finish was historic, with Suarez edging out Blaney by a mere 0.003 seconds, while Busch trailed just 0.007 seconds behind.

Disrupting the Championship Race: Chastain’s Bold Strategy

In the world of modern NASCAR, the championship finale is a high-stakes race where the top four drivers compete in a winner-takes-all format. For nearly every season since this structure was established in 2014, the victor of the final race also claimed the championship—except for one notable occasion.

In 2023, Chastain was eliminated midway through the playoffs, but he refused to sit idle. Instead, he aggressively interjected himself into the championship battle, much to the chagrin of eventual champion Ryan Blaney. During an intense contest for the lead, Chastain and Blaney engaged in a spirited tussle, leading to a dramatic final restart. Chastain surged past another Chevy driver, Kyle Larson, to take the lead and ultimately secured the race victory, much to the surprise of viewers and competitors alike. The broadcast team found themselves torn between covering the champion in second place and the driver leading the race, highlighting the unexpected nature of Chastain’s performance.

A Remarkable Comeback: Winning the Coca-Cola 600

Chastain’s flair for the dramatic continued earlier this year during the Coca-Cola 600, known as NASCAR’s longest race, spanning 600 miles. In a twist of fate, Chastain’s primary car suffered a tire failure during practice, leading to a crash. The team worked tirelessly overnight to prepare a backup car, only to start the race from the 40th position—last in the field.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Chastain made a remarkable comeback. He quickly climbed through the ranks, finishing Stage 1 in 20th, Stage 2 in 10th, and Stage 3 in 5th. In the final stage, he seized the lead from William Byron with less than ten miles remaining. Chastain led only eight of the 400 laps but managed to take home the victory, marking the deepest starting position for a winner of this prestigious race since its inception in 1960. Celebrating his win, he famously smashed a watermelon, a tradition he has become known for.

Raul Fernandez’s Stunning MotoGP Victory

The latest achievement for Trackhouse came in the MotoGP series, where Raul Fernandez stunned the racing world with his victory in the Australian Grand Prix. This race marked Fernandez’s 76th career Grand Prix, with his previous best finish being fifth. Trackhouse’s MotoGP program is still in its infancy, having been established less than two years ago, and they had yet to secure a podium finish before this race.

Starting from fourth position, Fernandez quickly moved into second place behind Marco Bezzecchi. However, a penalty for Bezzecchi allowed Fernandez to take the lead, which he maintained with exceptional skill throughout the race. Despite concerns about tire wear, Fernandez expertly managed his resources to secure a 1.4-second victory over Fabio di Giannantonio. The win was a groundbreaking moment for the team and showcased their potential within the MotoGP arena.

With this victory, Trackhouse Racing has now celebrated 14 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, thanks to the combined efforts of Chastain, Van Gisbergen, and Suarez, along with their first MotoGP win through Fernandez. Each of these drivers represents different countries, highlighting the team’s diverse and international presence in motorsports, including talents from the USA, New Zealand, Mexico, and Spain.

Trackhouse Racing has emerged as a dynamic force in the world of motorsports, consistently surprising fans and competitors alike. Their innovative strategies and willingness to push boundaries have not only redefined their own trajectory but have also made a significant impact on NASCAR and MotoGP, signaling a new era of excitement in the racing world.