Brazilian Tarso Marques to debut in NASCAR

Born in 1976 in Curitiba, Tarso Marques began his career by winning the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet at the age of 16. After starting in F3000 in 1994 with Vortex, in 1995 he became the youngest winner of a race Formula 3000 in Estoril within the DAMS team of the late Jean-Paul Driot (Read also : The DAMS stable sold to Charles Pic). A second podium in Barcelona allows him to finish the season in 5th place and see the doors of the Formula 1 open up.

DAMS F3000, Tarso Brands

For 2 seasons Marques would sporadically occupy the second seat of the team, alternating with Giancarlo Fisichella, Jarno Trulli and Pedro Lamy. This inconsistency deprived him of convincing results, forcing him to cross the Atlantic to join Team Penske in Champ Car. After 2 seasons, he was recalled by Minardi for the 2001 season with two 9th places for best results. Outdone in pure performance by his young teammate and future World Champion, Fernando Alonso, however, he achieved the feat of finishing ahead of him in the general classification. Tired of the financial difficulties of the team taken over by Paul Stoddart, he preferred to throw in the towel before the end of the season, replaced by Alex Yoong.

Presentation of Team European Minardi, Fernando Alonso, Tarso Marques and Alex Yoong © DPPI

Taro Marques has since done some stints in Champ Car in 2004 and 2005 before becoming a regular player in the Brazilian Touring Championships TC2000 and Stock Car Brasil Touring Car. He also created TMC, a successful vehicle design and customization company whose wide range of activities ranges from motorcycles to helicopters, including cars and motorcycles.

Tarso Brands © TMC

After a warm-up in the Truck Series at Sonoma on June 11, Marques and Team Stange Racing should make their Cup debut on July 03 at Road America on the Elkhart Lake road course in Wisconsin. They will then take the start of the rounds on the road circuits of Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, and Charlotte before closing the season with the last 4 meetings including the grand final in Phoenix. Marques will drive a Ford Mustang bearing the number 79 and sponsored by the firm Dignity Corporation and its flagship product DIGau, which specializes in securing cryptocurrency exchanges.

🏎 We're absolutely delighted to be partnering with @teamstange for their 2022 Nascar Cup Series races!
We wish them and @marquestarso all the best in what looks set to be an epic season! 🏁 https://t.co/hWFWPSm6Aj

— DIGau (@DIG_Au) March 8, 2022