Grammy Award-winning singer/rapper Pitbull [Armando Christian Perez] is a new co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, a new NASCAR Cup Series team founded by racer Justin Marks. Trackhouse plans to contest the full 2021 Cup Series schedule, fielding a #99 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Suarez.
“I’ve been a fan of the NASCAR story since the movie ‘Days of Thunder,” Pitbull said. “As soon as I met Justin, Ty Norris [Trackhouse President], and Daniel, we were on the same page. They welcomed me aboard, and now we’re going to show the world NASCAR is not only a sport but it’s a culture. This is an amazing way to celebrate my 40th birthday, so get ready! Dale! [Dah-lay].”
Trackhouse has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.
Suarez has four years of Cup Series racing experience since winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2016. In 143-career Cup Series races, he has eight top-fives and 32 top-10 finishes. He drove for Gaunt Brothers Racing in 2020 after stints with JGR and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Marks also is partnering with Pitbull on racing-themed STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] curriculum for the SLAM! [sports, leadership, arts and management] inner-city charter schools Pitbull co-founded.
“From day one of creating Trackhouse Racing, I wanted our team to be a platform for purpose, to transcend the sport and positively impact all races on and off the track,” Marks said. “I am proud that in just a few months we are here announcing a partnership with one of the most influential and recognized artists in the world. Within the first 10 minutes of our first meeting, it was clear Armando and I share a vision and passion for impacting the lives of the underrepresented. We are creating and compelling a movement of positivity and possibility, using the platform and excitement of sports and music. Through NASCAR and our partnership with Pitbull, we are going to have the attention of a global demographic that is ready to be inspired into action for themselves, their families and their future.”
