Author’s Note: TobyChristie.com has reached out to NASCAR in order to ensure the organization is officially registered with the sanctioning body and approved to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series. As of the time of publishing, no response has been received.
AND: In a press release distributed on Tuesday, Team Stange Racing says the organization intends to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, as a refresher.
It looks as though the NASCAR Cup Series could have some new faces this season, from both the driver and ownership side, following Tuesday’s announcement that Team Stange Racing intends to compete in eight events at NASCAR’s top-level this season.
Through a partnership with blockchain development company Dignity Gold, the organization plans to field the No. 79 Ford Mustang in multiple NASCAR Cup Series events throughout the second half of the year.
“We are thrilled that investors and the motorsport community are joining together with this partnership from Dignity Gold, bringing value to the tracks and racing fans who have a passion for titles, digital, and motorsports,” said Team Stange Racing President and CEO, John Stange Jr.
Tarso Marques, a 24-time starter in Formula One between 1996 and 2001, has been tapped to handle driving duties of the Team Stange Racing entry, in a schedule that includes four road courses, three ovals, and one superspeedway event.
Marques, a native of Curitiba, Brazil, will look to make his Cup Series debut at Road America in July, which, if successful, will make him the third Brazilian-born driver to race at NASCAR’s top-level, after Christian Fittipaldi and Nelson Piquet Jr.
“With an experienced driver like Tarso [Marques] behind the wheel, we are very optimistic about competing in the NASCAR Cup Series this year, as well as many other races in different categories to come,” continued Stange Jr. “I look forward to joining Dignity and my friend Tarso on the racing programs as we continue to build a dream team, leading exciting projects on and off the track.”
Following his intended debut at Road America on July 3, Marques will also compete at Indy’s Road Course (July 31), Watkins Glen (August 21), Daytona (August 27), Charlotte’s ROVAL (October 9), Las Vegas (October 16), Homestead-Miami (October 23), and the season-finale at Phoenix (November 6).
“It was nice how it all happened and it will be very nice,” said Marques. “I’m really happy that everything went well.”
Team Stange Racing’s tenure in motorsports has seen the Chicago, Illinois-based team foster many racing programs, in many different series. From 2014 to 2016, the organization ran a part-time ARCA Menards Series organization, recording a best finish of fifth.
In 2019, the organization attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 with Oriol Servia, and not only made the event but finished a respectable 22nd.
