Trackhouse’s foray into MotoGP is following a familiar path for team owner Justin Marks, who says the current state of his premier-class squad is “not a lot different” to the early days of his NASCAR operation.
Marks, who founded Trackhouse Racing in NASCAR in 2021, expanded into MotoGP for the 2024 season by taking over the satellite squad formerly run by RNF Racing. The team fields bikes for riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, and while results have been modest so far, Marks sees parallels with the growth trajectory of his stock car outfit.
“It’s not a lot different, to be honest, from where we were in NASCAR in those early days,” Marks said. “We were building from the ground up, learning the nuances of the sport, and trying to establish ourselves against established teams. The challenges are similar.”
In NASCAR, Trackhouse quickly made an impact, winning its first race in 2022 with Ross Chastain at Circuit of the Americas and later fielding a competitive multi-car program. Marks’ MotoGP project, however, has had a steeper learning curve, with the team currently sitting mid-pack in the standings and chasing development gains.
Building a foundation
Marks emphasized that the MotoGP operation is in a phase of laying foundations, much like his NASCAR team’s early months. “We’re building relationships with the manufacturer, with the riders, with the staff. That takes time,” he said. “In NASCAR, we had the benefit of some experienced people from day one, but we still had to grow into our own identity. It’s the same here.”
The team has partnered with Aprilia, using the RS-GP machinery, and has shown flashes of pace, particularly with Oliveira, who has scored points on several occasions. But consistency remains elusive, and Marks is realistic about the task ahead.
“We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re making progress,” he said. “The key is to keep building, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.”
Different worlds, similar challenges
While the technical aspects of MotoGP and NASCAR are worlds apart, Marks noted that the business and team-building challenges are strikingly similar. “You’re dealing with sponsors, with fans, with the pressure to perform,” he said. “The paddock culture is different, but the fundamentals of running a professional racing team are the same.”
Marks also pointed to the importance of patience in a sport where development cycles are long. “In NASCAR, we had a clear roadmap, and we stuck to it. Here, we have a similar plan. We’re not going to rush things.”
The MotoGP season is now past its midpoint, with the team aiming to close the gap to the front-runners in the second half of the year. Marks is confident that the lessons learned in NASCAR will translate to success on two wheels.
“We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
