The paddock's most palpable open secret finally received a public airing on Wednesday, as Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks confirmed that four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is actively discussing a potential crossover into the NASCAR Cup Series.

Speaking on the SPEED with Harvick and Buxton podcast, Marks revealed that conversations have already taken place with representatives from the Red Bull organization regarding a future appearance for the Dutchman. The Trackhouse boss insisted that a stock car outing remains "definitely" on Verstappen's radar, validating months of speculative murmurs linking the 28-year-old to the team's PROJECT91 initiative.

"It might be complicated right now, but I wouldn't rule it out for the future," Marks stated, acknowledging the intractable commercial hurdles standing in the way of an immediate switch.

Those hurdles are predominantly pecuniary and brand-related. Trackhouse Racing fields Chevrolet machinery in NASCAR, while Verstappen's identity is inextricably tied to Red Bull and its global partnership with Ford. As Marks candidly explained, the manufacturer clash means they would effectively "have to replace the current power unit in his F1 car to make it work," creating a labyrinthine sponsorship conflict that currently stalls the project.

However, the timing of these discussions is particularly salient. Verstappen remains contracted to Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028, but widespread reports suggest a performance-based exit clause has been activated following his failure to finish in the top two of the championship standings heading into the summer break. With his F1 future suddenly in flux, a high-profile NASCAR cameo—following in the tire tracks of Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, and Jacques Villeneuve—has evolved from a pipedream to a legitimate boardroom agenda item.

The Official Word

What are the chances of Max Verstappen driving the Trackhouse Racing Project 91 car? @KevinHarvick | @kaitlynvincie

— SPEED on FOX (@SPEEDonFOX) August 6, 2026

Further reading: Yahoo Sports' full breakdown of Justin Marks' podcast appearance and Motorsport.com's analysis of the commercial roadblocks.