Kevin Harvick shared his perspective on the possibility of Max Verstappen making a transition to NASCAR, especially as rumors swirl about a potential exit from Formula 1. The discussion about a crossover has gained prominence, placing renewed attention on projects like Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91—a key focus for those considering such high-profile switches in motorsport, and a stand-out topic for those following Kevin Harvick on Max Verstappen NASCAR crossover.
Harvick, a former NASCAR champion, recently suggested that Verstappen could be well-positioned to join the ranks of stock car racers, particularly with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91, if the Dutchman decides to leave Formula 1. This comes as speculation mounts that Verstappen, the standout driver for Red Bull Racing, might step away from F1 as soon as this year. Harvick commented that the platform provided by Project 91—designed by the Chevrolet-affiliated Trackhouse Racing to introduce celebrated motorsports competitors to the NASCAR Cup Series—would make it easier for Verstappen to experiment in the series.
Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91: A Path for F1 Stars
Project 91 was created for part-time participation in selected NASCAR Cup Series events, with the goal of attracting top motorsport drivers from around the globe. The program previously hosted 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who drove the No. 91 Chevrolet at both Watkins Glen International in 2022 and Circuit of the Americas in 2023. This paved the way for other potential international stars to test their skills in NASCAR’s competitive environment.
Recently, Red Bull, Verstappen’s F1 team, renewed its ties with the U.S. stock car scene through a partnership with Trackhouse Racing. This collaboration included a recent promotional shoot where NASCAR development driver Connor Zilisch invited Verstappen to try out the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet. Speaking on the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick underlined that such partnerships could help lower the barriers for Verstappen to enter a NASCAR race should he depart F1.
The 2014 Cup Series champion explained that the combination of Project 91 and Red Bull’s involvement in stock car racing would make the path into NASCAR smoother for Verstappen:
“We’ve seen him run some of the other little races that he’s done in the past. So I think that if he’s not doing F1, I think it becomes a lot easier to open those doors.” —Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“With Red Bull involved, I would say that that door for that to happen is probably way more open with Project 91 than it ever has been.” —Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Max Verstappen, who has claimed four consecutive Formula 1 titles from 2021 to 2024 and is currently facing challenges from McLaren F1 drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the ongoing championship, would bring significant attention if he ever switched series. His achievements place him among a select group in F1 history, highlighting how much excitement his potential NASCAR debut would likely generate.
Harvick’s View on Verstappen’s Media Demeanor
During the same podcast episode, Harvick addressed how Verstappen manages scrutiny from the press. Noting a recent situation where NASCAR’s Kyle Larson claimed superiority as an all-around driver, Harvick praised Verstappen’s measured approach to questions from journalists, describing him as highly adept at navigating public opinion and media narratives.
“Listening to some of the comments and things that he would react to… all the ‘best driver in the world’ comments would get thrown at him and things like that, he’s gotten pretty polished at the whole political side of how to answer things.” —Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
When Kyle Larson made statements about being a better driver last year, Verstappen responded calmly, simply saying, “That’s fine,” and proceeded to secure his fourth F1 World Championship. That season, Larson achieved the most race wins in NASCAR, highlighting the high level of competition and mutual respect among motorsport’s elite competitors.
With Project 91 and Red Bull’s partnership making unprecedented opportunities possible, motorsports fans will continue watching to see if Max Verstappen accepts the challenge of NASCAR, a move that could reshape the crossover landscape for future international stars. As Harvick suggests, the evolving connections between organizations and key drivers could soon bring new faces and fanfare to stock car racing.
