A new team announced a part-time entry into the NASCAR Cup Series on Tuesday, with Team Stange Racing setting an eight-race schedule for the 2022 season.
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The organization announced that Brazilian veteran Tarso Marques will drive the No. 79 Ford, with a debut set for July 3 at Road America. The team also plans to enter races at Indianapolis Road Course (July 31), Watkins Glen (Aug. 21), Daytona (Aug. 27), Charlotte’s Roval (Oct. 9), Las Vegas (Oct. 16), Homestead-Miami (Oct. 23) and the Phoenix season finale (Nov. 6).
Marques, 46, has made 24 Formula One starts, the most recent coming in 2001. He was also a regular in Champ Car competition, making 27 appearances during parts of four seasons. The Road America event would represent his Cup Series debut.
The team indicated that sponsorship is provided by blockchain company DignityGold and the DIGau token. Team Stange has competed with occasional starts in the ARCA Menards Series, most recently scoring a best finish of fifth place with Frank Kimmel in the 2016 opener at Daytona. The Chicago-based organization also entered the 2019 Indianapolis 500 through an alliance with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, netting a 22nd-place finish with IndyCar veteran Oriol Servia.
The No. 79 car number has been out of rotation in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2012. It was last driven by Kelly Bires in a part-time effort for team owner Archie St. Hilaire.