Justin Marks is set to swap his team owner duties for a return to the driver’s seat, confirming he will take part in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Naval Base Coronado.
The Trackhouse Racing founder will pilot the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in the inaugural Truck Series event at the San Diego venue.
While Marks is now best known for building one of NASCAR’s most successful Cup Series organizations, the upcoming race offers him a chance to step back into competition. It also adds another chapter to a driving career that spans NASCAR and sports car racing.
Marks returns to the Truck Series with Spire Motorsports
The San Diego race will be Marks’ first Truck Series start since competing at Mid-Ohio in 2022. It will also mark his 40th career appearance in the series.
Though Marks has yet to win in the Truck Series, he has secured two poles and a career-best finish of eighth. His driving accomplishments also include a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at Mid-Ohio in 2016 and eight wins in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series.
Despite his current focus on team ownership, Marks said the chance to race at Naval Base Coronado was too special to ignore. The event has drawn considerable attention since NASCAR first revealed plans to race on the military base.
“It’s a unique opportunity to drive in the inaugural Truck Series race at San Diego Naval Base. I enjoy getting behind the wheel every once in a while, and I’m thankful to do it with Spire’s help and with a longtime partner like Jockey.
“They’re celebrating their 150th anniversary and are very supportive of our military, which makes the endeavor even more special. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the race, and it’s an honor to be part of it.”
Marks adds star power to San Diego race
Marks’ return adds another big name to a field that has already attracted significant attention. NASCAR’s first national-series event at Naval Base Coronado is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about weekends of the season.
In recent years, the 44-year-old has focused on building Trackhouse Racing into a championship contender. Since launching the team in 2021, Trackhouse has won 15 Cup Series races and emerged as one of the sport’s most ambitious organizations.
Spire Motorsports president Bill Anthony welcomed the chance to put Marks back behind the wheel. He also highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two parties and the significance of the event.
“Our relationship with Justin goes back a long way, from his time coming up through the sport, so it means a great deal to have him in Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevy Silverado for this race.
“We know how important this event is for Justin and Jockey, and we’re proud to support that opportunity while recognizing the tremendous impact Justin continues to have as one of NASCAR’s best advocates and forward-thinking leaders.”
Marks won’t be the only Cup team owner in the field. Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson is also set to compete, adding even more star power to what is already shaping up to be a historic weekend for NASCAR.
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