Not Kimi Raikkonen, Red Bull Driver Set to Drive for Trackhouse Racing in NASCAR Cup Series Debut

Yes, you read it right. Kimi Raikkonen is not going to race for the Trackhouse racing in the NASCAR Cup series. The team’s co-owner suggested last month that the No.91 car will feature a new driver and sponsor. However, the new driver, being a Red Bull driver, did come as a shock to us, especially when you consider that driver does not have any experience in the Cup series or America. Who is this driver and why was he chosen over Former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen?

After winning the American GP at COTA in 2018 with Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen retired at the end of the season. To everyone’s surprise, Raikkonen was next seen in COTA driving in the NASCAR Cup series. Later, the Finnish driver entered his second NASCAR race with the #91 car at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. However, the Last Ferrari world champion is now being substituted by Shane Van Gisbergen at the Trackhouse racing.

Justin Marks’ description of the new driver aptly fitted with Van Gisbergen as he mentioned it will be someone with an experience different from NASCAR. The three-time Supercars champion is well suited to driving in the Cup Series. When asked about the possibility of driving Kimi Raikkonen’s #91 car, Van Gisbergen suggested he would love to. He also mentioned how Raikonnen had already set the bar really high.

According to V8sleuth.com, Van Gisbergen during the Castrol Motorsport News podcast said, “I’d love to do that; they’ve set the bar pretty high with Kimi Raikkonen.” when asked about driving the #91 car. He further added, “I’ve tried to get in touch with Paul Morris to try and get into his contacts to give me an introduction. I’d love to do it.”

Read More: “Thank You NASCAR”: Returnee Kimi Raikkonen’s Much Awaited COTA Face Off Against Old Enemy Has Fans Holding Their Breath

The 3X Supercars champion suggested how his team is flexible with him driving in other series and the attempt at getting an introduction with Trackhouse racing shows the interest. However, speculation was already being made after the Trackhouse Co-owner revealed the description for the next driver to drive the #91.

Justin Marks dropped hints that Shane Van Gisbergen will drive the #91 

Trackhouse’s co-owners description of the new driver is very much fitted with Van Gisbergen and not so much with Kimi Raikkonen. While the statement that the driver had a very different experience from NASCAR did fit with Raikkonen, the other statement, did not so much. The perfectly suited for the Cup Race and not raced in America, aspects of the Marks’ description perfectly suited Van Gisbergen.

According to V8sleuth.com, Justin Marks said, “It’s going to be somebody that has got very, very different experience from NASCAR but in some ways is actually perfectly suited for a Cup race. This is somebody who has not raced in America very much at all, but I think is going to be able to go to this particular race and make some real noise. I’m excited about that.”

Watch this Story: Daniel Ricciardo Set to Drive NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt’s 1984 Chevrolet Car at Texas

What do you make of the Red Bull Supercar driver being announced at the #91 Cup series driver?