In a remarkable display of skill and strategy, Kyle Busch secured his 65th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24, 2024. Driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports, Busch showcased his mastery by taking the lead with just six laps remaining in the Fr8 208 race. His performance drew high praise from fellow NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, who described Busch’s drive as a “clinic” in racing excellence.
Busch’s return to the Truck Series was highly anticipated, especially after his transition from team owner to driver following the sale of Kyle Busch Motorsports to Spire Motorsports in late 2023. Despite the changes, Busch’s competitive spirit remained undiminished. He skillfully navigated the race, capitalizing on a late-race mishap when leader Grant Enfinger experienced tire issues, allowing Busch to seize the advantage. He then fended off challenges from Ty Majeski and Corey Heim to clinch the win.
Formula 1 Driver Could Make His NASCAR Debut After Missing Out 4 Years Ago **Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91** Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut. — ### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars** Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1. Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR. — ### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity** Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut. In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series. — ### **Challenges and Logistics** Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar. Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine. — ### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR** Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart. — ### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment** For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer. If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.
Reflecting on his performance, Busch credited his familiarity with competitors like Majeski, with whom he shares a history of late model racing in Wisconsin. “Majeski was a bit of a wingman today. Appreciate him—and the history we’ve had together growing up racing late models,” Busch remarked. He also expressed satisfaction in bringing Chevrolet to Victory Lane in his debut race with Spire Motorsports.
Denny Hamlin, a seasoned competitor and contemporary of Busch, lauded the performance on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast. Hamlin noted Busch’s adeptness at maneuvering his truck, particularly on the lower lanes of the track, and highlighted his strategic acumen in the race’s critical moments. “It looked like his truck just worked a lot better on the bottom than others or he did a better job driving,” Hamlin observed.
This victory not only adds to Busch’s impressive tally across NASCAR’s top three series—now standing at 230 wins—but also underscores his adaptability and enduring prowess in the sport. As Busch continues his scheduled appearances in the Truck Series for Spire Motorsports, fans and fellow drivers alike will be keenly observing his ongoing contributions to NASCAR’s rich competitive landscape.
Related Posts: Formula 1 Driver Could Make His NASCAR Debut After Missing Out 4 Years Ago **Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91** Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut. — ### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars** Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1. Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR. — ### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity** Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut. In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series. — ### **Challenges and Logistics** Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar. Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine. — ### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR** Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart. — ### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment** For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer. If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.