NASCAR’s first-ever San Diego weekend is already shaping up to be a huge deal. A street course built inside an active military base, set against the backdrop of Naval Base Coronado and tied to the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary celebrations, was guaranteed to draw massive headlines as it is. But now, a mysterious tease surrounding the Project 91 camp has fans speculating that another former Formula 1 driver could be added to the weekend’s growing excitement.

Former Haas F1 driver set to join the NASCAR garage?

An Instagram post from StockCarRN dropped a series of clues that immediately sent motorsports fans in the country into detective mode.

“On the topic of the next Project 91 race in San Diego, I believe we may have narrowed it down to one driver. Can you guess who it is?” the post read before listing several hints:

• “This driver hails from a small country but has raced on the world’s biggest stages.”
• “This driver also followed his father’s footsteps by taking part in some of the premier races in the world.”
• “This driver came swinging right out of the gate, notching off a podium finish in his very first F1 start.”

Almost instantly, fans connected the dots to Kevin Magnussen, as evidenced by comments under the post. The Danish racer perfectly fits every clue.

He was born in Roskilde and built a career competing in some of the biggest racing championships in the world, including Formula 1, where he stood on the podium in his debut race at Melbourne in 2014 with McLaren. He also followed in the footsteps of his father, Jan Magnussen, himself a former Formula 1 driver and racing legend.

Magussen has also competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar.

His most famous quote is “suck my b****, mate,” said one of the comments under the post. The person was referring to Magnussen’s infamous comment after his verbal battle with then-rival and future teammate at Haas, Nico Hulkenberg.

If these rumors prove true, it would be Magnussen and not Max Verstappen, squashing earlier theories. Most notably, Verstappen wasn’t a podium sitter on his 2015 debut in Melbourne. He qualified in 11th, but was forced to retire in the 32nd lap of the race.

Magnussen, meanwhile, could become the latest international star after Kimi Raikkonen and Shane van Gisbergen to be recruited into Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative. Launched by owner Justin Marks, the initiative aims to bring some of racing’s biggest global stars to NASCAR on a part-time basis.

“It just puts fuel in the tank as far as we’re trying to build something here where the greatest drivers in the world have a place that they can call home if they want to try NASCAR racing,” Marks said about this.

Magnussen, of course, would not join as a full-time addition if he comes to San Diego. But he could still make a lasting impression that opens a pathway into the sport. After all, SVG was initially brought in for the 2023 Chicago Street Race, which he won. He later began competing in more NASCAR events for Trackhouse before eventually becoming a full-time driver in 2024.

NASCAR’s San Diego Race Lands Major Backing

Qualcomm, a San Diego-based company, holds the naming rights to the circuit as NASCAR’s Official Circuit Partner. And that collaboration reveals a lot about the sport’s future.

The 3.4-mile, 16-turn circuit is more than simply a makeshift street track. NASCAR is treating the weekend as a test of what modern racing entertainment could look like in the future. There are plans set around live connectivity, fan interaction, real-data systems, and a digital experience unlike ever before throughout the three-day event.

“The Qualcomm Circuit represents the future of motorsports, built with precision, purpose, and performance in mind, all while paying tribute to the extraordinary history of Naval Base Coronado and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.

“We are proud to partner with a San Diego-born global technology leader as we make history together on this remarkable stage,” said Amy Lupo, president of NASCAR San Diego, during the event announcement.

Beginning in late May, construction will transform parts of the military base into a racing arena featuring lengthy straightaways, tight braking zones, and challenging turns that should heavily favor road-course specialists.

It feels like NASCAR is trying to reinvent its image entirely. And bringing internationally recognized names through Project 91 would only amplify that vision even further.