Rick Hendrick and his team surprise confused fans with a delightful announcement.

By emmasportJanuary 12, 2025

Time to Read:-words

Rick Hendrick, the esteemed owner of Hendrick Motorsports, has recently delighted fans with a series of thoughtful gestures and announcements, reinforcing the team’s commitment to its supporters and partners.

Holiday Surprises for Drivers

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.

During the festive season, Hendrick Motorsports shared a heartwarming video featuring drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson unboxing special gifts. Each received a cozy blue sweater emblazoned with “HendrickCars.com” on the front. The drivers’ reactions, filled with smiles and appreciation, resonated with fans, showcasing the close-knit family atmosphere within the team.

https://twitter.com/TheOnePizzaMan/status/1878118263378305099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1878118263378305099%7Ctwgr%5Ec952b0c24babc8e21615c2aff08f5c0aa7846fa7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.essentiallysports.com%2Fnascar-news-rick-hendrick-co-come-the-rescue-of-perplexed-fans-with-welcome-surprise%2F

Honoring a 40-Year Partnership with Chevrolet

In a significant milestone, Hendrick Motorsports celebrated its 40-year partnership with Chevrolet. To commemorate this enduring relationship, the team presented Chevrolet with a unique gift: a large Chevrolet logo composed of small boxes, each painted with significant race-winning schemes from their collaborative history. This creative tribute underscores the deep-rooted connection and mutual success shared between Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet over four decades.

Amazon Prime Sponsorship for Chase Elliott

In a strategic move to enhance brand visibility and engage with a broader audience, Hendrick Motorsports announced a sponsorship deal with Amazon Prime for Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet. This partnership, set for three races annually from 2025 to 2027, aims to promote Amazon Prime Video’s NASCAR Cup Series streaming rights. The sponsorship will debut at Talladega on April 27, featuring Amazon Prime’s blue and white colors and the “NASCAR on Prime” logo, signaling a fusion of motorsports and digital streaming platforms.

Kyle Larson’s Indy 500 Endeavor

Demonstrating a commitment to pushing the boundaries of racing, Rick Hendrick has collaborated with Arrow McLaren to support Kyle Larson’s attempt at “The Double” in 2024. This ambitious endeavor involves competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The partnership highlights Hendrick’s dedication to providing his drivers with opportunities to excel across diverse racing platforms, further thrilling fans with the prospect of witnessing such a rare feat.

Rick Hendrick’s recent initiatives reflect a deep appreciation for his team’s heritage, a forward-thinking approach to partnerships, and a genuine desire to engage and surprise fans. These actions not only honor past achievements but also pave the way for exciting future endeavors, reinforcing Hendrick Motorsports’ position at the forefront of NASCAR racing.

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.

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