As the next NASCAR Silly Season approaches, Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 Cup Series driver lineup decisions are drawing heightened interest, with speculation mounting about whether Connor Zilisch may be set for a full-time Cup Series promotion. The team faces a complex roster scenario heading into next year that could reshape its future in the sport.
Trackhouse Weighs Options Ahead of NASCAR Silly Season
Trackhouse Racing currently has four contracted drivers: Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, Shane van Gisbergen, and Connor Zilisch. Chastain appears secure for the foreseeable future, holding a multi-year agreement and the team’s No. 1 car, but owner Justin Marks must now manage the futures of Suárez, van Gisbergen, and Zilisch. Suárez’s contract expires at the end of 2025, van Gisbergen is in his rookie Cup season, and Zilisch drives in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports while making occasional Cup starts.
Sportswriter Jordan Bianchi analyzed this situation, indicating that Suárez’s expiring deal opens the door for Trackhouse to make a decision: promote the up-and-coming Zilisch or retain Suárez, a well-liked driver with sponsorship support who currently sits 30th in the points standings. The team faces internal debate about Zilisch’s readiness to move up after his Xfinity successes and limited Cup exposure.
“Both van Gisbergen and Zilisch have terms remaining on their respective contracts, with Suárez’s contract up at the end of the season,”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
“And, it may come down to just this factor — letting pending free agent Suárez, who sits 30th in points, walk to promote Zilisch.”
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
The comparison between van Gisbergen and Suárez extends to their specializations, as Suárez has been more competitive on oval tracks, while van Gisbergen is a road course standout. As decision time nears, Marks and his organization must consider the team’s competitive balance and sponsorship stability alongside performance trends.
Connor Zilisch’s Audition for a Full-Time Cup Ride
Connor Zilisch, just 18, is in his first full-time Xfinity campaign and has already shown promise, winning at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and ranking sixth in series points. His Cup Series experience this year includes two starts for Trackhouse: a 37th-place finish at COTA and an improved 23rd at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Instead of focusing on instant results, Trackhouse is using its part-time fourth Cup entry to immerse Zilisch in top-level racing and gauge his long-term fit.
“We’ll see what his future holds, but right now we have a mechanism in the company to put that extra car out,”
—Justin Marks, Team Owner
Marks emphasized the developmental nature of Zilisch’s Cup appearances, with the primary goal being experience.
“We just want him to get that experience. No expectations for results or anything like that.”
—Justin Marks, Team Owner
The team’s approach is focused on practical learning rather than immediate performance metrics.
“We have the opportunity to give him the learning experience, and we’ll continue to do that. The Cup Series is a different sport than the Xfinity Series. It is just so, so difficult. The only way to learn is to go out there and do it,”
said Marks.
How Upcoming Races Could Influence Trackhouse’s Choices
No final choices have been made for Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 Cup Series driver lineup. In the next month, several races—three of the upcoming seven regular season events—will be run on road courses, which could be pivotal for van Gisbergen, who notably won his Cup debut at the 2023 Chicago Street Race. Strong results on these circuits could help secure a playoff berth for van Gisbergen, potentially affecting how the organization views its future roster.
“[Road courses] are where everyone expects us to perform,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Driver
He added,
“… It’s been a big learning process the last couple of months. It’ll be nice to have a break and turn right.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Driver
With upcoming events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and additional road courses, competition among Trackhouse’s drivers will intensify, offering further data for Marks and his leadership team. Zilisch’s performance in these opportunities, combined with Suárez’s contract situation, increases the stakes as Trackhouse aims to make an informed decision for its 2026 driver roster.
The deliberations at Trackhouse Racing underscore broader dynamics within NASCAR’s Silly Season, where factors like driver development, sponsorship continuity, and team performance all carry significant weight. As the season progresses, the motorsports world will closely watch how Justin Marks navigates this high-stakes decision process—one that could define Trackhouse Racing’s identity for years to come.
