Trackhouse Racing’s double top-five effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway should have been the story of the day. Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain battled through challenges to secure impressive finishes. But when a late-race caution shook up the field, everything changed. A surprising contender emerged, seizing control in the final laps. Despite strong performances, Trackhouse Racing watched victory slip away. The final moments left one driver celebrating a career-defining win while others were left wondering what could have been.
Key Highlights
- Trackhouse Racing showed skill and adaptability, maintaining competitiveness despite challenges at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
- Chastain’s strategic two-tire call on Lap 146 helped secure a strong stage finish and valuable points.
- Late-race caution on Lap 242 during pit stops gave Suárez a chance to lead, but a bottoming issue let Berry overtake.
- Suárez’s second-place finish marked a significant turnaround, boosting him ten spots in the standings to 19th.
- Trackhouse Racing placed two cars in the top five, highlighting their growing competitiveness and potential impact on the championship race.
Trackhouse Racing’s Strength at Las Vegas Continues
Trackhouse Racing’s ongoing success at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a demonstration of their tactical skill and adaptability on the track. Their consistent performance at this venue emphasizes their strategic expertise, despite facing challenges during the Pennzoil 400.
The team, renowned for its methodical approach, displayed resilience when the race began unfavorably. Shane van Gisbergen encountered setbacks with multiple flat tires, forcing him to retire after completing 195 laps. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez also struggled initially, failing to secure points in the initial stage.
However, Trackhouse Racing’s ability to navigate adversities is a testament to its enduring strength at this track. Their performance history at Las Vegas reflects a pattern of overcoming obstacles, leveraging both driver skill and team strategy.
This resilience highlights their capacity to persevere and adapt, ensuring they remain competitive throughout the race, even when immediate results are not achieved.
Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez Power Through the Field
Despite early challenges, Chastain and Suárez displayed their resolve as they pushed through the field at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Chastain’s crew chief, Phil Surgen, made a tactical two-tire call on Lap 146, propelling the No. 1 Chevrolet into strong competition. This decision allowed Chastain to secure third place in a 15-lap stretch to the end of the second stage, earning eight valuable stage points. Suárez, showing his tenacity, wasn’t far behind, finishing seventh in the same stage.
“I was fully committed to him and happy to do it,”
“We stayed connected well. It was aggressive, but it got him the lead and he bottomed out too hard with his car and it let [Berry] get inside of him a couple of laps into that run. Bummer because he had a better car than we did and had a shot to win and it just slipped away from us.” – Ross Chastain
During the final stage, their strategies diverged considerably. A caution on Lap 195 due to a backstretch incident saw Suárez remain on track, while Chastain opted to pit, ensuring his car was primed to stretch its fuel to the finish.
Late-Race Caution and Trackhouse’s Close Call with Victory
Tension mounted at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when Noah Gragson blew a right-front tire on Lap 242, triggering a caution during a crucial cycle of green-flag pit stops.
Trackhouse Racing seized the opportunity when the caution shuffled positions. Daniel Suárez, running runner-up behind Joey Logano, found himself leading after Logano’s team experienced a pit road mishap, losing 19 positions. This tactical gain placed Suárez alongside Josh Berry on the front row for the restart.
Ross Chastain, lined up behind Suárez, executed a calculated push, propelling the No. 99 car to the front. Despite this teamwork, Suárez’s car struggled with a bottoming issue, allowing Berry to overtake him on Lap 252.
Berry capitalized on the moment, securing his initial Cup victory. Chastain later reflected on the effort, acknowledging Suárez’s potential victory that slipped away due to unforeseen circumstances, highlighting the unpredictable nature of racing.
Trackhouse’s Strong Finish and Championship Implications
The Las Vegas race marked a notable turnaround for Trackhouse Racing, showcasing their potential in the NASCAR circuit with a strong finish that could influence their championship aspirations.
Daniel Suárez’s runner-up finish snapped a streak of challenging performances, elevating him ten spots in the standings to 19th. This performance was his best since the 2024 playoff opener, illustrating a resurgence in his competitive form.
“It was good. Definitely very important.”
“Especially with the 99. I think [Chastain] has had a couple decent results this year, but the 99 has been running very well lately and we’ve been getting wrecked for one reason or another.”
“It sucks to be that close. Sometimes, I feel like third feels better than second. We did everything in our power at the end. We just needed to be a little bit better in the short run.” – Daniel Suárez
Meanwhile, teammate Ross Chastain secured a top-five finish, reinforcing Las Vegas as his strongest venue. Chastain’s consistent performance earned him 40 points, enhancing him six positions in the standings.
“It’s huge.”
“The last thing I said to [Suárez] was it’s pretty cool to be talking about finishing second and fifth and legitimately running up there. It’s so frustrating because I saw how close Daniel was. Daniel had the better Trackhouse car today and for him to be so close, it’s a bummer.” – Ross Chastain
For the fourth time in their history, Trackhouse placed two cars in the top five, a reflection of their growing competitiveness. The team’s recent achievement highlights their potential to impact the championship race, provided they can maintain this momentum.
News in Brief: Trackhouse Racing’s Double Top-Five Effort
Trackhouse Racing exhibited mpressive skill and strategy at Las Vegas, with drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez making considerable advances through the field. Despite their strong performance, a late-race caution disrupted their momentum, preventing a victory.
However, both drivers secured solid finishes, reinforcing Trackhouse’s competitive position in the championship standings. This race highlighted the team’s resilience and adaptability, emphasizing their potential as a formidable force in future competitions, as they continue to chase their championship ambitions.
ALSO READ: Trackhouse Racing Lands Major Sponsorship Deal as Choice Privileges Expands Partnership
