By David Morgan, Associate Editor
SAN DIEGO – Kevin Magnussen has a plethora of experience across the motorsports world from Formula 1 to sports cars to IndyCar and more, but this weekend, the Dane will get a baptism by fire as he will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the inaugural Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado
As a part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry that has featured drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen, Kimi Raikkonen, and Helio Castroneves, Magnussen gets the call-up from team owner Justin Marks to bring the No. 91 Chevrolet back to the track for the first time since the 2025 Daytona 500.
“NASCAR is one of the biggest forms of motorsport, so I don’t think I ever thought it would be a possibility because I’ve been on that European Formula 1 track that is very different and isolated from the NASCAR world, so it’s not often you get a chance to actually cross over,” said Magnussen.
“It’s almost like being a soccer player and then taking part in a field game, and I think that’s what it feels like to me. It’s still kind of similar. It’s the same kind of sport, but a very different type of it. So, I think that’s very, very exciting, and I’m just super privileged to get this opportunity to take part in the NASCAR race. It’s going to be a memory for life.”
And he’ll do it on what many are considering the most treacherous track on the Cup Series schedule, the 16-turn, 3.4-mile street course that winds its way around the city streets, runways, and tarmacs that encompass the sprawling naval facility.
“For me, it’s a great challenge. It’s a real excitement being thrown in at the deep end. It would be a very big challenge to just hit the ground running, having done no laps in a NASCAR Cup car so far,” said Magnussen, who noted that he has done some laps in the sim, but Friday’s opening practice session would be his first behind the wheel.
“It’s an awesome track. I walked the track this morning. It looks like the most extreme track that I’ve ever driven. That would be an experience in itself. Just looking forward to it.”
Magnussen added that when team owner Justin Marks presented him with the opportunity, it was an immediate yes to be able to check another item off of his racing bucket list.
“The PROJECT 91 car, that’s kind of what it’s made for,” said Magnussen. “Justin (Marks) reached out to me and said there was an opportunity. Qualcomm was sponsoring the car and that there would be an opportunity to come and race in NASCAR for this race here in San Diego.
“And, you know, I didn’t have to think about it at all. I accepted that offer immediately. BMW were nice enough to let me do it. They completely understood. Also, I think the way I asked them, I almost couldn’t call it a question. You know, I said I wanted to race and they let me do it, so a big thank you to them, as well. And a big thank you to Qualcomm to give me the opportunity.”
Despite never having raced a stock car, Magnussen is ready for the no-holds barred type of racing that is commonplace on road and street courses in NASCAR.
“[Elbows] are always out,” Magnussen joked.
“I think from what I know about NASCAR, it’s tough racing. And, you know, the way the sporting rules are around racing each other is much more lenient than in European racing. So, yeah, that’s part of what I have to get used to.
“I got a message from Jensen Button, who also did some races here and he said, be careful and be aware… they’ll turn you around if they have any part of the track on your side. So, yeah, I think I’ll just take it all in and try and enjoy all of it.”
During Friday’s lone practice session of the weekend, Magnussen had his hands full wheeling his Chevrolet around, finding himself in the wall and eventually finishing the session in 29th.
He’ll have the night to debrief with his team before qualifying on Saturday at 2:30 pm ET and Sunday’s race at 4:00 pm ET. Both streaming on Amazon Prime.
A tough sequence of events for K-Mag. pic.twitter.com/E4F4osJfY9
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 19, 2026
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