Red Bull ran a NASCAR Cup Series team from 2007 to 2011, then left the sport entirely while enjoying success in other racing series. But now it's back in the Cup, this time as the primary sponsor for Trackhouse Racing.
The math makes sense. Trackhouse already has two Red Bull athletes on the squad: Shane van Gisbergen (who's been with the energy drink make since 2016) and young phenom Connor Zilisch (who signed with the sponsor the same weekend he won in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen last season). This season, though, the sponsorship extends all the way to the hood of the car. Red Bull becomes the official energy drink of Trackhouse and will serve as the primary sponsor in several Cup races.
The company will adorn the No. 88 Chevrolet of Van Gisbergen in five Cup races this year, which includes: March 16th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, July 13th at Sonoma Raceway, August 3rd at Iowa Speedway, August 23rd at Daytona International Speedway, and September 28th at Kansas Speedway.
Red Bull will also sponsor Zilisch in his newly announced NASCAR Cup debut. Zilisch, only 18 years old, will make his first appearance at the highest level of the sport in the March 2nd race at COTA, driving the No. 87 Chevrolet in a fourth entry for the team. COTA is the site of Trackhouse's first Cup win, back in 2022.
“It’s an incredible chapter in the history of Trackhouse Racing to welcome Red Bull back to NASCAR,” said Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks. “Red Bull is one of the most powerful brands in the world and it’s an honor for us to embark on a partnership with such an iconic company.
“This is a huge win for our sport and a moment that will resonate with the millions of NASCAR fans around the world. I’m thrilled for Connor, Shane, and every member of Trackhouse to partner with who I consider to be the greatest motorsport company in the world. We are more than honored to welcome Red Bull to the Trackhouse Racing family.”
Red Bull's Cup team operated for five seasons, winning twice with Brian Vickers at Michigan in 2009 and with Kasey Kahne at Phoenix in 2011. It never placed higher than 14th in the final standings. But they do have those eight driver's world championships in Formula 1, including the last four with Max Verstappen.
