Kevin Magnussen Joins NASCAR’s Project 91 for Anduril 250 Debut
Kevin Magnussen, a former Formula One driver known for his aggressive style, announced this week that he will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse’s Project 91 program. The Danish driver, who spent years behind the wheel of McLaren, Renault and Haas machines, expressed genuine excitement about the new challenge.
Magnussen’s departure from the pinnacle of single‑seater racing came after he was replaced at the end of the 2024 season by rookie Ollie Bearman. Rather than retreat from the sport, he has kept his foot on the accelerator, turning to the World Endurance Championship and BMW’s GT Challenge Cup with Team WRT, while also testing an IndyCar chassis in 2021.
His upcoming debut will take place in the Anduril 250 at the Coronado Street Course, a temporary circuit laid out on an active United States Air Force base near San Diego, California. The venue, which blends military history with motorsport, promises a unique backdrop for the Danish driver’s first NASCAR race.
Magnussen will be following in the tire tracks of F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen, who piloted the same #91 Chevrolet in 2022, and will share the grid with team owner Justin Marks, who has guided the Project 91 program since its inception. The partnership marks a convergence of two racing cultures, blending European precision with American stock‑car tradition.
The Road Ahead for Project 91
The move also underscores the growing international appeal of NASCAR, as teams seek talent that can bring fresh perspectives and technical expertise. Magnussen’s experience in high‑downforce, open‑wheel cars equips him with a skill set that could translate surprisingly well to the tight, twisty layout of the Coronado Street Course.
In a recent interview, Magnussen said he is eager to feel the roar of the crowd and to prove that his racing instincts can adapt to a new discipline. “I’m looking forward to pushing the limits on a track that’s unlike anything I’ve driven before,” he remarked, adding that the experience could open doors for further cross‑series collaborations.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the former F1 star navigates the unique challenges of NASCAR’s oval‑heavy schedule, and whether his background in endurance racing will give him an edge in the longer, more strategic events that define the Cup Series.