Kimi Raikkonen set for NASCAR return

The driver retired from F1 at the end of the 2021 season; Set for NASCAR Cup Series debut

Days ago, Trackhouse Racing announced Project 91. The car is a third entry from the team in the NASCAR Cup Series.

However, the team isn’t using the traditional ladder system to fill the seat of their part-time entry. Instead, they plan to pull driver from a variety of global motorsports divisions.

Trackhouse Racing adds third NASCAR entry with Project 91

Kimi Raikkonen will be the first driver to fill the seat of the No. 91. He’ll drive the Chevrolet Camaro at Watkins Glen International on August 2 in his debut.

The 42-year-old is the 2007 F1 World Champion driver. He also has more Formula One starts than anyone at 349.

Justin Marks comments

“I’m really excited to launch this year with Kimi Raikkonen,” team co-owner Justin Marks told NASCAR.com.

“Obviously, the 2007 F1 World Champion and the most experienced F1 driver in history, he’ll really kind of help set this program off. I’m looking forward to it. I’m bullish in our ability to be able to track the global stars of motorsport and do something really special under the Trackhouse brand with PROJECT91.”

“I think that he’s going to perform really, really well,” Marks said. “The program is going to be first class. He’s going to have a real opportunity to go out there and compete. This isn’t just a PR stunt. The passion I have is fueled by the vision of someone coming in and winning.”

Kimi Raikkonen comments

“I wasn’t looking to race again, but Justin came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch program,” Raikkonen said in a team release.

He added, “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.”

The driver has two NASCAR starts in the past. In 2011, he ran one NASCAR Truck Series race and one NASCAR Xfinity Series event, both at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Watkins Glen will mark his first stock car start on a road course.

Trackhouse Racing shop; Take a look inside the NASCAR team (Photos)

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Kimi Raikkonen | Daniel Suarez | Ross Chastain | Trackhouse Racing | NASCAR

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