Exploring the Backstage of Trackhouse's NASCAR Activities during the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Justin Marks and his companion Pitbull envisioned Trackhouse as a NASCAR team that wasn't scared to challenge norms and explore new options. This mindset led Trackhouse to declare on December 12 that they'd be participating in the renowned Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first major international motorsports event of the 2025 season.
This decision brings together New Zealand racing legends Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske's IndyCar operation and his long-time friend Shane van Gisbergen. van Gisbergen will transition to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver at Trackhouse in 2025.
"I'm over the moon to race alongside Scotty, Connor, and Ben," van Gisbergen shared. "I adore the 24 Hours of Daytona, and it's fantastic to do this with this team. Justin, Chevrolet, and TF Sport have done a fantastic job putting this together."
McLaughlin has become a prominent figure in IndyCar with Team Penske, securing the pole position for the 108 Indianapolis 500 in 2024. He finished third in the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series Championship behind champion Alex Palou and runner-up Colton Herta.
"When the chance to race with Ben, Connor, and Shane from General Motors came up, I jumped at it," McLaughlin said. "I've always wished to race an endurance event in a Chevrolet Corvette, and I can't think of a better group to join. I'm confident we have a genuine shot at winning a Rolex with this team."
Scott and Shane share a rich racing history, having competed against each other and even worked as teammates at times. "Shane is one of the finest racers I've opposed, so it'll be great to have him as an ally for Daytona," McLaughlin added. "Connor is a rising star who's going to be around for a long time, and Ben has won Le Mans and a World Championship in a Corvette. We're going to enjoy ourselves."
The two New Zealand drivers, van Gisbergen and McLaughlin, will join Connor Zilisch and Ben Keating in the No. 91 “Trackhouse by TF Sport” Corvette.
"I can't wait for the 24 Hours this year," Zilisch said. "This will be exciting, and I genuinely believe we can win this race. I treasure my Rolex, and if I could get another one, I might wear two. It takes so much to win this race, and I believe everyone in this group brings something to the table that will help us reach victory lane. I know our Corvette will be quick."
Keating, the experienced road racer among the group, shares Zilisch’s enthusiasm.
"I'm eager for this," Keating said. "I've won Le Mans in a Corvette and won a World Championship in a Corvette. I'm thrilled to be back with TF Sport, a team I'm extremely familiar with, and one where we won numerous races and a championship together. I'm joining some fantastic Chevrolet drivers in Shane, Scott, and Connor. The competition will be tough, but I know we're prepared for the challenge."
The “Trackhouse by TF Sport” Corvette race team participating in the 24-hour race at Daytona international Speedway embodies Marks' pioneering vision as an innovator or "disruptor" in modern motorsports.
"Competing in the Rolex 24 has been a dream since the inception of Trackhouse Racing," Marks said. "We ensured we could enter with a top-notch partner in Chevrolet and TF Sport as well as a driver lineup that could compete for the victory. We believe the team we've assembled has a genuine chance of winning the trophy."
Trackhouse's Bold Vision is Part of Its DNA
Trackhouse has campaigned NASCAR Cup Series cars since 2021, amassing eight victories with drivers Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, and van Gisbergen – all in Chevrolets. In 2024, Trackhouse entered the MotoGP grid, marking the return of an American team to the peak of motorcycle racing for the first time in over a decade.
"Our goal was to become an international company with a global brand, and we took a significant step in 2024 by adding MotoGP," Marks said. "Today, Trackhouse is taking another major stride by entering one of the most prestigious motorsports races in the world with American drivers Zilisch and Keating and New Zealanders Van Gisbergen and McLaughlin."
Marks was deliberate in choosing his partners, including TF Sport, and drivers for the 24-hour race.
"We wanted the best partners as we know how challenging this task will be," Marks said. "We're up against some of the best sports car teams and drivers in the world."
His drivers are well-known in the motorsports community.
Van Gisbergen's accomplishments include three Supercars Championships in 2016, 2021, and 2022, alongside 80 wins and 47 pole positions. He also won the Bathurst 1000 in 2020, 2022, and 2023. van Gisbergen clinched his initial NASCAR Cup Series victory on the streets of Chicago in 2023 and captured three Xfinity Series victories in 2024.
In 2023, the NASCAR world was astounded at Chicago as the foreign-born driver led 9 laps and triumphantly won the event by a substantial 1.259 seconds in overtime, making him one of only six international racers to clinch a Cup Series race victory and the first to do so in their debut Cup Series start, since Johnny Rutherford in 1963.
The young low-20s Zilisch shook up the racing world in 2024, amassing an impressive string of victories, including the LMP2 class at the Rolex 24, the 12 Hours of Sebring, his debut Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International (N.Y.), and multiple wins in ARCA and CARS Tour events.
McLaughlin tallied an impressive three Supercars titles between 2018 and 2020, with highlights including a Bathurst 1000 win in 2019, and seven victories in the IndyCar Series, which he's been a full-time competitor in since 2021. The 2024 IndyCar season saw McLaughlin finish a commendable third in the overall championship standings, with three wins and five pole positions under his belt, including setting the fastest four-lap qualifying speed in the event's history at the Indianapolis 500.
Keating, who owns 30 car dealerships across Texas, made waves in the motorsport scene by clinching the GTD class at the Rolex 24 in 2015, and the IMSA Championship in LMP2 in 2021 and 2023. He also secured back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and 2023 with TF Sport and Corvette. In addition, Keating was named the 2022 and 2023 WEC World Champion.
The team will rely on the abilities of the TF Sport team, founded by Tom Ferrier and headquartered in Slinfold, West Sussex, England, UK. TF Sport has proven to be one of the most successful British teams in GT endurance racing during the current era, with numerous victories at the Spa 24 Hours (2019), Le Mans 24 Hours (2020 and 2022), and the WEC Championship (2022).
The team began its prototype racing journey in 2021 with the ELMS, taking home the Pro/am title in 2022 and the LMP2 pro title in 2024. In 2024, TF Sport collaborated with Corvette Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the season finale in Bahrain, securing a double podium finish.
“This marks a fantastic start to our 2025 racing program with Corvette Racing,” said TF Sport owner Tom Ferrier. “This team combines sports car, IndyCar, and NASCAR racers, all working towards the same objective - to win the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. We're incredibly excited to get started with this talented team.”
The legendary Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R made its return to the Rolex 24 following an outstanding 2024 debut season. The GT3 is based on the Corvette Z06 supercar, with the same aluminum frame and V8 engine, making up 80% of the production model. Both chassis and engines are manufactured at GM's Bowling Green Assembly plant, with the GT3.R constructed at Pratt Miller Engineering in New Hudson, Michigan.
“We’re thrilled to strengthen our connection with Trackhouse Racing, TF Sport, and Ben Keating for this unique entry into the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Eric Warren, GM executive director – global motorsports competition. “This collaboration brings a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to the race, particularly TF Sport with its WEC experience with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R”.
In 2024, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R recorded 11 victories, 12 pole positions, and bagged the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD PRO Manufacturers Championship for Chevrolet. A total of five Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs are set to participate in this year's Rolex 24.
The Trackhouse Racing Powered by TF Sport team will take to the track for a pre-Rolex 24 test (the Roar Before the Rolex 24) on Jan. 16–19, and return for practice and qualifying for the 24-hour race on Jan. 23–26.
- Trackhouse will participate in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking their entry into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season's first major international event.
- Scott McLaughlin, a prominent figure in IndyCar with Team Penske, will join Shane van Gisbergen at Trackhouse, transitioning fully into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025.
- The Grand Park 220 race track will not be mentioned in this context, as it was not mentioned in the provided text.
- Team Penske's IndyCar operation and the NASCAR Cup Series will both feature New Zealand racing legend Scott McLaughlin, adding to the competitive nature of both series.
- Ben Keating, an experienced road racer, will join the Trackhouse team for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, bringing his Le Mans and World Championship-winning experience to the team.
