The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
Saddled with uncompetitive Minardi machinery, Tarso Marques didn't manage to score points in his three partial seasons of Formula 1. But now the Brazilian has the chance to show what he can do in NASCAR, and explains the story of his comeback with new Cup Series entrant Team Stange
Jacques Villeneuve hit the headlines in February by qualifying for NASCAR's biggest race, the Daytona 500, aged 50. And he's not the only driver from the 1996 Formula 1 rookie crop to have set his sights on a successful crossover to the Cup Series this year, although the 1997 world champion's career bears little resemblance to that of Tarso Marques beyond the 24 times they shared a grand prix grid. True to his career to date, the Brazilian's NASCAR bow will be with an underdog outfit in Cup newcomer Team Stange, whose owners had originally targeted a move into IndyCar…
The story starts with a supercar that 46-year-old Marques, who ceased racing in the Brazilian Stock Car championship after the 2018 season to focus on his burgeoning custom car and motorcycle company, built with the aim of creating the ultimate trackday weapon. Capable of up to 1200 horsepower, according to Marques, the TMC M1 attracted interest from investors in the United States and contact was made via occasional ARCA team entrant John Stange. They had first crossed paths at Long Beach in 2004, when Marques was racing in Champ Car for Dale Coyne, and Stange had brought Yoke TV sponsorship to the minnow squad.
Rosenqvist joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2024 IndyCar season, Pagenaud departs
Rosenqvist joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2024 IndyCar season, Pagenaud departs Rosenqvist joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2024 IndyCar season, Pagenaud departs
United Autosports signs Keating, Quinn for 2024 IMSA LMP2 season
United Autosports signs Keating, Quinn for 2024 IMSA LMP2 season United Autosports signs Keating, Quinn for 2024 IMSA LMP2 season
Why 2023’s most unpredictable series is a refreshing tonic
Why 2023’s most unpredictable series is a refreshing tonic Why 2023’s most unpredictable series is a refreshing tonic
How American racing's greatest rivalry has gone global in the WEC
How American racing's greatest rivalry has gone global in the WEC How American racing's greatest rivalry has gone global in the WEC
What could have been: A forgotten F1 racer’s Ganassi cameos split by seven years
What could have been: A forgotten F1 racer’s Ganassi cameos split by seven years What could have been: A forgotten F1 racer’s Ganassi cameos split by seven years
Frijns joins BMW as works driver, will test WRT's LMDh car
Frijns joins BMW as works driver, will test WRT's LMDh car Frijns joins BMW as works driver, will test WRT's LMDh car
Zhou's Hungarian GP "pretty much over" after "strange" Alfa F1 start glitch
Zhou's Hungarian GP "pretty much over" after "strange" Alfa F1 start glitch Zhou's Hungarian GP "pretty much over" after "strange" Alfa F1 start glitch
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
F1's current cars getting as hard to follow as in 2020/2021, lament drivers
F1's current cars getting as hard to follow as in 2020/2021, lament drivers F1's current cars getting as hard to follow as in 2020/2021, lament drivers
Honda rider Takahashi to fill in for injured Rins at Misano
Honda rider Takahashi to fill in for injured Rins at Misano Honda rider Takahashi to fill in for injured Rins at Misano
2023 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
2023 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more 2023 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
Nissan fastest as 2024 GT500 cars continue testing at Motegi
Nissan fastest as 2024 GT500 cars continue testing at Motegi Nissan fastest as 2024 GT500 cars continue testing at Motegi
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.