DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When Justin Marks acquired Chip Ganassi Racing prior to the 2022 NASCAR season, he brought with him ambitious visions for the future. As a former driver, he stands out as one of the most innovative team owners in the NASCAR landscape, and in just three seasons, he has begun to make significant impacts across the motorsports industry.
Marks initiated a transformation in the Cup Series garage with the addition of a hospitality area at the Trackhouse Racing team hauler, offering sponsors and guests a place to engage and escape the sweltering heat during race weekends. What began as a minor enhancement has now become the norm across the industry.
However, Marks’ vision extends far beyond mere aesthetics; he envisions Trackhouse Racing as more than just a NASCAR team. He perceives it as a comprehensive sports entertainment enterprise. “His approach and forward-thinking mindset motivate us all to think and act differently,” remarked Shane van Gisbergen. The Australian driver’s life transformed dramatically when Marks invited him to participate in NASCAR’s inaugural race through the streets of Chicago. Van Gisbergen’s stunning victory in that race prompted Marks to devise a strategy to bring him from V8 Supercars to compete in North America.
Marks’ journey started with the procurement of two cars from Ganassi, but he has since expanded to three for the 2025 season. Notably, he is entering Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, into the iconic Daytona 500, marking a historic moment as Trackhouse becomes the first team to feature drivers from four different countries in “The Great American Race.” The lineup includes Ross Chastain representing the United States, Daniel Suarez from Mexico, Shane van Gisbergen from New Zealand, and Castroneves from Brazil.
Meanwhile, young talent Connor Zilisch has been signed to the team but is temporarily leased to JR Motorsports for the 2025 Xfinity Series. Furthermore, Marks has ventured into MotoGP, establishing a team that entered the series prior to Liberty Media’s interest in acquiring the premier class of motorcycle racing globally. Should Liberty’s acquisition prove successful, Marks could benefit significantly, similar to how Liberty expanded Formula 1.
Michael Shank, an IndyCar and IMSA team owner and a longtime friend of Marks, praised his timing and strategic decisions. “What Justin has accomplished is remarkable, and he’s certainly capitalized on ideal timing,” he commented. Additionally, Shank expressed admiration for Marks securing sponsorship from Wendy’s for Castroneves’ Daytona appearance, an achievement he has yet to realize with a local brand himself.
As the Rolex 24 at Daytona approaches, Marks eagerly seeks to showcase Trackhouse’s presence. The team will be represented by a formidable lineup including van Gisbergen, Zilisch, IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske, and sports car veteran Ben Keating, all competing in the GTD Daytona Pro class. Zilisch, who played a crucial role in another team’s victory at last year’s LMP2 class at Daytona and Sebring, is excited about his return.
“Justin’s innovation and plans show that everyone believes he will achieve these goals,” Zilisch stated. “The team atmosphere at Trackhouse is fantastic, which clearly highlights what he has built. His ambition is to expand the brand and business for the greater benefit of the sport.”
Looking ahead, Marks has ambitions that include a future entry in the prestigious Indianapolis 500. He has been spotted at practice sessions at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over recent years, and ongoing discussions about assembling a competitive program for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” are in play. “It’s an incredible experience to watch,” Marks shared. “Representing Trackhouse in that race is a dream of mine. We’ve been evaluating this for several years. When the opportunity arises, we’ll take a serious look. Competing in the world’s most esteemed open-wheel race is a top priority for me.”
“I don’t believe Trackhouse will feel complete without our participation in that event.”
