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Jordan Bianchi talked NASCAR Free Agency today on The Athletic, and Justin Marks had something to say about NASCAR’s most surprising free agent. Justin Marks simply said, “If he’s going to do this, it would only make sense that he does it with us.” Marks feels he has the best offer for SVG.
This is the first time that there has been a public comment for a team owner on SVG. Marks clearly wants him in the fold in some way, shape, or form.
However, a lot has to go into play for SVG to go to Trackhouse Racing. What needs to happen for SVG to make the move to Trackhouse Racing, even if it makes the most sense for SVG?
Trackhouse currently only possesses two charters which field Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Both of those drivers are locked into multi-year contracts, meaning that they are with Trackhouse for the foreseeable future. Marks would need to start a third team, and, to do that, he would need a charter.
We recently looked at three Cup Series teams that could look at selling charters in 2024.
One of the teams on this list made a major move in NASCAR silly season. Rick Ware Racing recently signed Justin Haley to drive for them beginning in 2024. The car number, however, was suspiciously absent.
RWR has been one of the bottom three chartered teams in owners points with one or two of their cars each of the last two seasons. If a car is in the bottom three for three consecutive years, NASCAR can elect to revoke the charter. If they want to build around Justin Haley, RWR may be advised to put all of their resources into Haley rather than spreading them out.
Trackhouse could be a team to buy a charter. Marks literally gave Chip Ganassi an offer he could not refuse to absorb the NASCAR team and make Trackhouse.
SVG currently has a sponsor in Australian Supercars, Red Bull. Red Bull has been in NASCAR before, most recently with Red Bull Racing between 2007 and 2011. It’s not out of the question that SVG would bring Red Bull with him to NASCAR, but Red Bull was also nowhere to be found on his Project 91 car.
If Red Bull does not fund SVG’s Cup car, then it falls on Trackhouse themselves to find sponsors for SVG. It could be argued that SVG’s international pull should make him more attractive to sponsors. He could offer those sponsors a way into a totally new market.
Marks could even look at other Supercars sponsors that do not already have a footing in NASCAR. It would be interesting to see what new or existing sponsors would be willing to sponsor SVG. He has a unique appeal.
A few things need to happen for SVG to become a driver in NASCAR for Trackhouse, but Justin Marks wants him. If we have learned anything about Trackhouse over the last few years, it’s that Justin Marks will do anything and everything to get what he wants or needs. What else does he have up his sleeve?
