Trackhouse Racing faces skeleton crew for Mexico City race after significant travel disruptions left only a handful of their usual garage members available, putting their NASCAR Playoff ambitions for Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez into question as competition heats up this weekend. With logistical chaos and a thin staff, the team must adapt quickly to have any shot at seizing a critical victory in Mexico City.
Disrupted Travel Leaves Race Teams Shorthanded
Trackhouse Racing, along with several other teams, faced extensive travel woes when two flights out of North Carolina were grounded the day before the event. This unexpected problem led to a scramble as NASCAR drivers and key personnel searched for last-minute routes to Mexico City, altering plans for both teams and series officials. In response, organizers were forced to rework the schedule for practice sessions and technical inspections, showing just how disruptive the situation has been. The garage area reflected this chaos, with only a few members available as teams arrived for the start of the weekend.
Stephen Doran, the crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 car, described the situation bluntly.
Skeleton crew, there’s only three or four of us on each of our cars. But yeah, we’ll be fine.
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief. Doran emphasized that although the team is short-staffed for now, they remain determined to compete, relying on a lean but skilled crew to manage the early sessions.
Coordinating a Patchwork Team Effort
Most of Trackhouse Racing’s remaining staff were scheduled to arrive late Thursday, with some essential team members, such as engineers, delayed until Friday. To maintain preparation, part of the engineering team stayed back in North Carolina to assist remotely during practice, with plans to fly in once their presence was possible.
Most of the rest of them will get here tonight,
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief.
We have some of the engineers staying back so they can do practice from the shop, and then they’ll fly down tomorrow.
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief.
NASCAR’s decision to modify the event schedule provided some relief for short-handed teams as they grappled with limited resources. The organization moved technical inspection to Friday and allocated Cup Series teams a 75-minute practice session in total, offering a sliver of hope that those still en route could arrive in time to be effective.
Yeah, them adjusting the schedule definitely helped us out a little bit,
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief.
But we just gotta get caught up now.
—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief.
Adapting Strategies and Assessing the Competitive Picture
Despite support from engineers working remotely, the reality remains: teams that have their full complement of crew in the garage will likely have an advantage. Trackhouse Racing looks to make the best of their circumstances, counting on the skills of Shane van Gisbergen—who brings extensive experience—and the resourcefulness of their reduced on-ground staff.
As the action unfolds, other teams with proper crew strength may be better positioned. Yet, for van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez, this weekend’s road course marks a crucial opportunity, because wins are needed to ensure their playoff hopes stay alive. For Suárez, in particular, competing on familiar ground in his home country adds both significance and pressure, as does the chance to claim a win at NASCAR’s inaugural Cup Series event in Mexico City. Each driver brings a unique stake to this race: Suárez’s history in the NASCAR Mexico Series, and van Gisbergen’s adaptation to the Cup Series, frame the intensity surrounding the event.
High Stakes as Playoff Dreams Hang in the Balance
Trackhouse Racing’s urgency is heightened by recent results. While Ross Chastain has already secured a win this season and boasts a strong road course record—including past victories at venues like Watkins Glen and COTA—the focus now is on giving van Gisbergen and Suárez the support they need to break through. The team aims to capitalize, even as the skeleton crew poses clear challenges at the outset. If Suárez manages a victory at home, it would not only be a landmark in his racing career but would energize Trackhouse Racing under trying circumstances.
The broader impact of this weekend will be felt across NASCAR, as teams, officials, and drivers all contend with the aftermath of travel disruptions and a compressed preparation window. The outcome at Mexico City could set the tone for the final push to the Playoffs, showcasing the resilience—and the vulnerabilities—of teams like Trackhouse Racing as they seek to keep their championship aspirations alive despite unpredictable adversity.
