A Global Driver Joins the Cup Series
Trackhouse Racing announced a partnership with Qualcomm Technologies that will see former Formula 1 and current FIA World Endurance Championship driver Kevin Magnussen take the wheel of the No. 91 Qualcomm Chevrolet for the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race in San Diego. The collaboration marks the first time a Danish driver has entered the premier American stock‑car series and underscores a broader push to bring international talent to the sport.
Magnussen, who debuted in Formula 1 in 2014 and celebrated a podium finish the following year, has also competed in the NTT IndyCar Series and now races in the FIA World Endurance Championship. His move to NASCAR is framed as part of the PROJECT91 initiative, which seeks to showcase diverse drivers on American tracks. The effort has previously featured names such as Kimi Räikkönen and Shane van Gisbergen, setting a precedent for global representation.
The San Diego event will be held at Naval Base Coronado on June 21 and will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime, with coverage kicking off at 1 p.m. ET. Magnussen will be joined by Trackhouse Racing’s full‑time Cup drivers Ross Chastain, Justin Marks and Connor Zilisch, forming a four‑car lineup that blends veteran road‑course expertise with emerging talent.
Qualcomm’s AI technology will play a supporting role in the team’s performance strategy, providing data‑driven insights that could influence everything from aerodynamic tuning to race‑day decision‑making. Crew chief Phil Surgen, a veteran of the sport, will oversee the technical execution of the new program, aiming to translate cutting‑edge computing power into on‑track advantage.
The partnership also highlights the growing intersection of automotive technology and motorsport, as Qualcomm leverages its expertise in wireless and AI solutions to aid a racing team’s competitiveness. This collaboration may serve as a template for future alliances between tech firms and racing organizations seeking to innovate within the sport.