Shane Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey has faced fresh turbulence, as recent insights from both Trackhouse Racing’s co-owner Justin Marks and Van Gisbergen himself shed light on the hidden obstacles plaguing the much-hyped Project 91 program. Despite recent optimism around a potential revival, details have emerged highlighting the complexities impeding this ambitious effort to bring global racing stars into the NASCAR Cup Series.
Behind the Scenes: Project 91’s Complicated Resurrection
For months, hopes for Project 91’s return have revolved around Justin Marks’ confidence and major support from sponsor Red Bull. Marks was candid about the likely comeback, declaring,
“I would bet on it coming back in ’26, and we’re pretty close to getting that deal done. There’s some good opportunities.”
— Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing co-owner. The optimism implied Project 91 would soon give elite international drivers new opportunities in NASCAR, continuing a trend that began by fielding a part-time No. 91 Chevrolet for stars outside the stock-car mainstream.
But Shane Van Gisbergen, the New Zealand driver who dazzled in his NASCAR debut, recently addressed the true hurdles in a candid podcast appearance. Speaking on Dinner with Racers, Van Gisbergen offered an unguarded perspective —
“Like Justin would give him (Will Power) a go in Project 91 any day of the week. But I guess they can’t, you know?”
— Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver. His comments hinted at complexities beneath the surface, compelling fans to look deeper at why the program’s future is anything but guaranteed.
Project 91’s model relies on carefully orchestrated scheduling, core team capacity, and active manufacturer engagement. Its celebrated debut at Watkins Glen, which featured Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 Formula One world champion, signaled a bold, creative move by Trackhouse Racing to open NASCAR’s doors to international talent. The breakthrough moment arrived when Shane Van Gisbergen captured the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street race victory in his very first Cup appearance, proving the effort’s immense potential.
Despite these achievements, sustaining Project 91 has proven challenging. Trackhouse must balance the logistics of managing three full-time Cup entries with the extra demands of a rotating, high-profile guest driver program. Even with Red Bull’s sponsorship muscle, priorities tend to gravitate toward drivers already aligned with the brand, potentially limiting the pool of eligible global stars as scheduling, financial, and strategic axes must align perfectly.
The car’s deployment is closely linked to broader team decisions: which races or courses offer maximum exposure, which drivers’ international obligations can be worked around, and how sponsor relationships shape the final roster. These intricacies mean that even established names like Will Power or other F1, IndyCar, or Supercars drivers cannot simply step in at will. Every move must fit both team and business interests and address the harsh realities of coordination and commitment at the elite level.
Nonetheless, Marks insists that Project 91 is far from finished. Instead, he characterizes it as an evolving enterprise, with the spirit and vision still very much alive as new opportunities are explored heading into 2026 and beyond.
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Pursuit of Oval Success in NASCAR
While the uncertainty around Project 91 lingers, Shane Van Gisbergen remains focused on his personal quest to master NASCAR ovals — a test that continues to define his American racing adventure. Van Gisbergen has earned tremendous respect for his road and street racing capabilities, but the transition to oval tracks marked another level of challenge, requiring careful study and adaptation.
Van Gisbergen’s admiration for fellow competitor Kyle Larson has been consistently visible as he works to refine his approach. The Kiwi has openly discussed Larson’s technical prowess on ovals, explaining,
“Like you watch someone like Larson, Kyle Larson, he’s amazing at switching lines on corner entry to get clean air.”
— Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver. He further noted,
“And running a line they haven’t done or a line that someone else hasn’t done like it’s. They’re amazing to watch these guys and normally just deal with the understeering you got.”
— Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver.
Larson’s rise as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion was anchored in his sophisticated ability to adjust to shifting track conditions and maintain an edge through consistency and strategy. This year, his record included three Cup Series wins, top-fives, and multiple top-10 finishes, an example that Van Gisbergen has actively sought to emulate throughout his rookie season.
Van Gisbergen’s strengths on road courses led to multiple triumphs — securing five wins on such layouts with seven overall victories — but his incremental progress on ovals soon attracted notice. Early races saw him breaking into the top 20 at challenging venues like Michigan and Darlington, and by September, he achieved his first oval top 10 at Kansas Speedway. Further strong showings at Charlotte and Richmond, where he posted 14th-place results, signaled rapidly accelerating growth and confidence.
This foundation has set Van Gisbergen up for further improvement in 2026. With a full season of oval experience under his belt, deeper data, and insights drawn from watching Kyle Larson and other premier drivers, Van Gisbergen enters the next NASCAR campaign prepared for greater consistency and even bolder ambitions on America’s iconic high-speed circuits.
The Road Ahead for Trackhouse and Project 91
As Shane Van Gisbergen embarks on the next chapter of his NASCAR journey, his experiences and comments shed light on the ever-evolving state of Project 91. The program’s promise is undeniable: it has successfully brought some of the racing world’s finest into the NASCAR spotlight. However, the intricacies of scheduling, sponsorship, and team resources will continue to test the commitment of all involved.
Trackhouse Racing and key sponsors like Red Bull play critical roles in determining which international racers are granted the chance to participate, meaning every decision is a product of intense logistical and strategic planning as much as raw talent or fan excitement. While fans await the return of Project 91, the cases of both Van Gisbergen and previous luminaries such as Kimi Raikkonen showcase how global influences are reshaping the Cup Series.
The future remains bright but uncertain. As 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on whether Project 91 can deliver on its original vision, and whether drivers like Shane Van Gisbergen continue to break barriers and set new standards for international success in the world of NASCAR.
