In recent seasons, Team Penske may have clinched the Cup championships, but Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) have consistently dominated the statistics and performance on the track. They have been the top teams in terms of wins and overall race dominance. Trackhouse Racing was once poised to join this elite group, especially in 2022 when Ross Chastain impressively finished as the championship runner-up. However, challenges have emerged as Trackhouse strives to maintain that competitive edge.
As the 2023 season progressed, Trackhouse’s momentum diminished, barring an impressive performance by Shane van Gisbergen. Recently, Daniel Suarez addressed the widening gap between his team and the NASCAR giants, including Hendrick and JGR, indicating awareness of the uphill battle they face.
The current points standings starkly illustrate this dominance, showcasing that the entire top five consists solely of Hendrick and JGR drivers. Leading the pack is William Byron, who holds a 30-point advantage over Denny Hamlin, while Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott fill out the remaining top positions.
Moreover, in the top ten, Alex Bowman from Hendrick is holding steady, whereas JGR’s Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs are currently sitting 13th and 20th, respectively. As Suarez reflects on Trackhouse’s current standing, he concedes that there is still significant work to be done. He emphasizes that while the team has restructured internally, tangible results are yet to be realized on the racetrack.
“Teams like Hendrick, Penske, and Joe Gibbs — the big, strong teams are getting a little further away from us each time. And that’s the work we have to do,” Suarez stated, voicing concern over the growing performance gap. “What do we have to do to be able to compete with the big teams? What are we missing? In 2022, the first year of the Next Gen, we were very strong. I think Trackhouse was, if not, the strongest team.”
He further elaborated on the present challenges by noting, “One of the strongest teams that started. However, the big teams had a bit more of an advantage every three or four months. All the races this year have been won by three teams… We have work to do to catch up with them.”
Trackhouse’s troubles aren’t solely defined by their performance in relation to Hendrick and JGR; Team Penske, while paradoxically without a win so far this season, shows similar speed to the leading teams. Ryan Blaney has remarkably secured three top-five finishes and four top-ten finishes in just nine starts, while Joey Logano, with a single top-ten finish, has led an impressive 260 laps, showcasing their potential.
Historically, Penske accelerates in the latter part of the season, making their slower start less concerning. In contrast, Trackhouse Racing has struggled overall, not only with results but also in performance and speed, placing them in a precarious position.
Currently, Suarez and van Gisbergen’s combined efforts have resulted in only two top-ten finishes, with both drivers languishing in the standings at 27th and 34th places, respectively. Notably, only one Trackhouse driver, Ross Chastain, breaks into the top 15, holding the 11th spot with one top-five and five top-ten finishes.
However, when compared to the previous season, Chastain’s current performance pales in comparison; two seasons ago, at this point, he had already secured a win and four top-five finishes, wrapping up the year with two victories and 13 top-five results. Similarly, Daniel Suarez had a better run that year, finishing 10th in points with a victory and a total of five top-fives and seven top-tens. It’s evident that Justin Marks’s drivers and engineers have significant ground to cover if they wish to recapture the form that once positioned Trackhouse as a serious contender in the championship race.
