Rapper Pitbull is latest celeb with ownership stake in NASCAR team

“Mr. Worldwide” is coming to NASCAR. Pitbull has become an ownership partner in new NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing, set to make its debut next month at the Daytona 500.

Trackhouse made the announcement with a video on Twitter in which the Grammy winner is featured dancing to an “I believe we will win” chant. The rapper, known also as “Mr. Worldwide,” joins NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan as celebrity owners entering NASCAR this year. Jordan is a part-owner of 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin, which has Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 Toyota.

“I’ve been a fan of the NASCAR story since the movie ‘Days of Thunder,’ ” Pitbull said in a statement. “We are going to show the world NASCAR is not only a sport but a culture.”

Trackhouse was launched last year by former driver Justin Marks, who struggled to find a charter that guarantees entry into every Cup Series race on the schedule. He ultimately leased one from Spire Motorsports to get his organization on the grid but has vowed to purchase a charter and make Trackhouse a NASCAR fixture.

Marks hopes to eventually base Trackhouse in Nashville. The team in its first season has an embedded operational alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Daniel Suarez will drive the No. 99 Chevrolet for Trackhouse.

NASCAR welcomed the addition of Pitbull, who performed for fans in a pre-race concert at Phoenix Raceway last March in the last race held before the pandemic. “We look forward to working with him to further engage diverse audiences and introduce new fans to our great sport,“the series said.