What’s Next for This 33-Year-Old Driver After Trackhouse Split?
Daniel Suárez’s NASCAR future is officially up in the air. After months of speculation and rumors, Trackhouse Racing confirmed a few weeks ago that Suárez will not return to the No. 99 Chevrolet after the 2025 season. The decision, described by both sides as mutual, ends a five-year partnership that saw Suárez become a foundational piece of Trackhouse’s rapid rise through the Cup Series ranks. Suárez, the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race, played a critical role in legitimizing the team in its early years, even delivering a historic win at Sonoma in 2022. Now, with the announcement behind him, Suárez says he’s “relieved” and ready to focus on what’s next, telling SiriusXM NASCAR Radio: “It’s a little bit of a relief to know what’s happening and to be excited for whatever comes next.”
As the summer stretch of the season heats up, Suárez becomes one of the most experienced and marketable free agents available. He has two Cup Series wins in over 300 Cup starts and won an Xfinity Series title, while remaining one of the most recognizable figures within the garage. His current partners, including Tootsie’s, Freeway Insurance, and Quaker State, have remained committed throughout his time with Trackhouse and could play a major role in determining his next move. Teams in need of both sponsorship funding and veteran leadership may find Suárez as the ideal candidate, especially organizations in transition or expansion mode. Though his 2025 season has been pretty underwhelming, sitting 29th in points with no wins, his ability to build chemistry and bring stability to a team is well-documented.
One team that could be in play is the newly rebranded Haas Factory Team, which currently runs just one full-time car but has the infrastructure to expand in 2026. If they choose to grow, Suárez could provide immediate credibility to the new program while mentoring younger talent. Another option might be Kaulig Racing, which has gone through several lineup changes over the past two seasons and may be looking for a reset with a proven Cup veteran. JR Motorsports—though not currently in the Cup Series—has long flirted with leaping and could use a driver like Suárez if they expand, especially after his victory in Mexico City in the No. Nine JRM Xfinity Series cars. Even a one-year Xfinity deal with a top team like JRM could serve as a career reset if Cup opportunities don’t immediately materialize, keeping him competitive and in the spotlight while waiting for the next big seat to open.
Trackhouse, meanwhile, has yet to name a replacement for the No. 99 car, though development driver Connor Zilisch appears to be the favorite. Zilisch, just 18 years old, has impressed in lower-tier series like ARCA and IMSA and is widely considered one of Chevrolet’s brightest prospects. Still, it remains to be seen whether the team will rush him into the Cup Series full-time or opt for a temporary veteran to bridge the gap. Team owner Justin Marks said the decision to move on from Suárez wasn’t driven by poor performance, but rather a long-term vision for where the team wants to go. “When we took a step back and mapped out our five-year plan, we just felt it was time to move in a different direction,” Marks told reporters.
For now, Suárez’s focus remains on finishing strong with Trackhouse over the final races of the 2025 season. A late-season surge or even a surprise win would do wonders to boost his stock and remind teams what he’s capable of when the equipment is right. He’s not treating this exit as a setback, but rather as a turning point. “I feel like we’re in a good place,” Suárez said, referring to both the team and his mindset. With several dominoes still yet to fall in the Cup Series silly season, Daniel Suárez could quickly become one of the biggest storylines heading into 2026. Wherever he lands next, he’ll bring veteran poise, hard-core fan support, and the motivation to prove there’s more to accomplish in his career.
