Rapper Pitbull entered the world of motorsports as a co-owner of the new NASCAR team called Trackhouse Racing.
Armando Christian Pérez, real name of Pitbull, joins a list of top NASCAR team owners. Other celebrities who have done the same include NBA player Michael Jordan and his 23XI Racing team, which he shares with Denny Hamlin. Another individual is Brad Daugherty of JTG Daugherty Racing.
The Trackhouse Racing team bought by Mr. 305 was introduced in late 2020 by former racing driver Justin Marks.
On February 14, 2021, Trackhouse debuted in the Daytona 500 race with the 99th Camaro driven by the Mexican Daniel Suárez. Pitbull led the Grand Marshal and gave the order to start the engines to all the pilots. Suarez is 29 years old and won the 2016 Xfinity Series second-tier title, becoming the first NASCAR champion born outside of the United States.
On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Suarez raced the No. 99 Camaro in the Dixie Vodka 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. And although he did not win and was in 15th place, Pitbull's team will continue to bet on victory.
Pitbull's passion for auto racing has been going on for a long time. On January 15, 2021, the artist revealed on his Twitter account that he was a fan of NASCAR history since he saw the movie Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise in 1990.
In a statement issued Thursday, February 25, 2021, Pitbull stated:
“What I love about NASCAR is the story of the underdog. I am your best underdog. When you are a loser, you have a chip on your shoulder. You are a fighter, a champion, and you welcome failure. What I mean by this is that failure becomes the mother of your success. All the time, I tell people that there is no loss, only learning. No failures, only opportunities. There are no problems, only solutions."
With these words, the international superstar inspires us once again to continue fighting for our dreams, and to have a positive mindset to make them a reality.
Pitbull is also a motivational speaker and collaborator in solidarity causes.
One of his most important contributions is the founding of the public charter school network called SLAM! (Sports Leadership Arts and Management), which offers free tuition.
SLAM! has a sports-focused curriculum and encourages leadership and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education especially for Hispanic and minority students.
In 2013, Pitbull founded the first SLAM! together with other partners in the neighborhood of Little Havana, in Miami. This is where he grew up alongside his Cuban immigrant parents.
There are 11 SLAM schools! in the United States. The building in Little Havana alone cost $ 31 million, and took 4 years to build.
For more information on NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), visit their website www.nascar.com.
