Daniel Suárez and Trackhouse Racing: End of an Era in 2025
Mexican driver Daniel Suárez, known for being the only Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race, will leave the Trackhouse Racing team at the end of the 2025 season. Both Trackhouse and Suárez have described this separation as a “mutual decision”, giving the driver the opportunity to seek a new team for next season. Although Trackhouse hasn’t announced a replacement for the No. 99 Chevrolet, Suárez’s departure could open the door to the promotion of Connor Zilisch, a young motorsport prospect. Zilisch, who competes in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, has participated in three Cup races for Trackhouse this season, including Saturday night’s race in Atlanta. Suárez, at 33 years old, has achieved two victories in 305 Cup races and is currently in 29th position in the overall standings. This is his fifth season with Trackhouse Racing, a team he joined in 2021.Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks thanked Suárez for his contributions.“We took a team that nobody had heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and competing at the front weekly,” Suárez wrote on social media.
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing also has Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen under contract, in addition to Zilisch as a development driver. Chastain has six career wins and was the Cup Series runner-up in 2022, while van Gisbergen has one win this year and is in the playoffs. Suárez, who became a U.S. citizen last year, also has three wins in the Xfinity Series and one in the Truck Series. His 2016 championship in the Xfinity Series made him the only foreign-born driver to win a national series title. Last month, Suárez triumphantly returned to his home country by winning the Xfinity Series race in Mexico City, driving for JR Motorsports at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. However, the combination of celebrating a homecoming with ongoing contract negotiations weighed on Suárez.“The role Daniel has played in the history of Trackhouse and its first five years will forever remain as a valuable part of the company’s history. His commitment, work ethic, and dedication to the effort are some of the most impressive things I have personally seen in my career,” Marks stated.
Justin Marks
Suárez will continue competing on the track in 2026 with a new team. Suárez began his Cup career with Joe Gibbs Racing and has raced for Stewart-Haas Racing and Gaunt Brothers Racing. His Cup victories include Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta last year.“It’s not the first time I’m in this position. Definitely the first time with the Mexico race, but it’s not the first time I’m in the position of having to win or in the position of having a mid-season contract negotiation,” said Suárez. “It’s definitely a distraction. I won’t sit here and say it doesn’t really matter. I’m trying to be as smart as possible and put all this aside and just do my thing on the track.”
Daniel Suárez
