Daniel Suarez is departing Trackhouse Racing at the end of 2025; Where will he go? Here are his options.
Silly season is here.
Daniel Suarez has spent the last 9 years of his life in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 305 races, he’s picked up two career wins with his most recent coming in 2024. But, so far this season, he has just three top-10s in 18 races.
That brings us to the biggest news of the week, Daniel Suarez will not drive the No. 99 car for the 2026 season. Suarez joined the team for their debut season in 2021.
Daniel Suarez departing Trackhouse Racing
“Trackhouse and I have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2025 season,” Suarez stated via social media.
And for Suarez, his options are limited heading into 2026.
Who will Daniel Suarez drive for in 2026?
Kyle Busch and William Byron recently signed contract extensions. The rides with solid teams are now limited to just one, Denny Hamlin with the No. 11 at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Hamlin’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2025. However, it’s highly likely that he renews with JGR. It’s also extremely unlikely as Suarez once drove for JGR. If Hamlin does retire, expect JGR to use one of their own drivers in the Toyota pipeline.
Suarez could have another option with Kaulig Racing. Ty Dillon’s contract with the team will expire as the end of 2025 if not renewed. He signed a 1-year extension back in 2024. However, the team has ties to Richard Childress Racing and I would expect Dillon to renew as he also brings sponsorship funding with him.
The most likely landing spot for Suarez is in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 2016 Xfinity champion has four career wins in just 89 Xfinity starts. He most recent win came last month in Mexico City.
Pitbull departs Trackhouse Racing effective immediately
Court cases could open more seats
There’s currently a load of drama circling the NASCAR garage.
Rick Ware Racing is currently in a charter dispute with Legacy Motor Club. Legacy Motor Club claims they purchased a charter from them for the 2026 season. RWR argues the charter was for the 2027 season.
Legacy Motor Club opens lawsuit against another NASCAR team
At the same time, Rick Ware has planned to sell the team ahead of next season. The new owner intends to expand it to a three car team. Both of these things could cause a range of things to happen. Though, Cody Ware is expected to stay on as a driver.
Rick Ware Racing is set to be sold to former NASCAR team owner
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports could have their charters revoked in the middle of this season. Though the team has appealed the ruling. In that case, NASCAR would initially reclaim them. Though, the series likely wouldn’t be allowed to release them until the antitrust lawsuit is completed.
This scenario would swing the door wide open on silly season.
NASCAR wins court appeal to claim charters from 23XI / FRM
Who will take over the No. 99 car
Charter seats are a hot ticket. And, Trackhouse Racing has a pipeline of development drivers to fill those seats.
Connor Zilisch is currently the expected driver to land in the No. 99 for 2026. He’s already signed with Trackhouse via the development roster.
He has run 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series races in his career. He’s landed in victory lane three times including two wins this year.
Also, the 18-year-old has already run three NASCAR Cup Series races with cars fielded by Trackhouse Racing, this season. Of those, he has a best finish of 11th in Atlanta.
You should expect Zilisch to drive the No. 99 in 2026.
