Daniel Suarez reflected on an “average” outing at Pocono Raceway after finishing 15th in Sunday’s Cup Series race, leaving his future with Trackhouse Racing under increasing scrutiny. The result at the Pennsylvania track highlighted ongoing challenges for Suarez, as he was the top finisher among his Trackhouse teammates in a race that continues to impact his playoff prospects and career decisions.
Suarez Discusses Performance and Team Struggles at Pocono
Daniel Suarez, driving the No. 99 Chevy Camaro, pointed to balance issues as the main reason for his mid-pack result at Pocono. Despite a strong start, persistent handling problems left him and his team searching for answers by the final laps of the event. Notably, none of Suarez’s Trackhouse Racing teammates managed to finish in the top 25, with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen crossing the line in 26th and 31st places, respectively.
“It was an average day for the No. 99 Chevrolet team. We started the race OK on the short run, but then in the final stage, we just lost the balance of the car a little bit. We were just way too tight and never got it back.”
—Daniel Suarez, Driver
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe took the checkered flag for his first win of the season, followed closely by teammate Denny Hamlin, who missed out on a record eighth victory at the storied 2.5-mile Long Pond oval. The result did little to ease the concerns within Trackhouse Racing, as Suarez remains the only team member yet to secure a spot in the postseason. The pressure is mounting with every race as the playoff cutoff approaches.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Hopes and Upcoming Challenges
The upcoming Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway, previously Atlanta Motor Speedway, is now critical for Suarez’s playoff hopes. As the only Trackhouse Racing driver not yet qualified for the playoffs, he must secure a win to have a chance at advancing. The 260-lap race is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, with television coverage on TNT Sports beginning at 7 pm ET, and live radio updates available via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion, won this year’s edition, raising the stakes for all contenders, including Suarez.
Spotlight Shifts to Trackhouse Racing Future Amid Contract Uncertainty
Just a week prior, Daniel Suarez celebrated a landmark NASCAR win on home soil in Mexico City, marking the first such victory for a Mexican driver since 2008. However, success at the Xfinity Series level was short-lived, as Suarez finished 19th in the Viva Mexico 250 Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, while Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen secured a win and an automatic playoff berth.
“He (Suarez) goes out and the guy he’s potentially competing against for his ride, to save his job in the Cup Series, wins his way into the playoffs, while Suarez is a non-factor most of the day. Now it’s like, if you’re Suarez, how do you even — what do you do, moving on from this weekend?”
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
“I think the Xfinity win is a reminder of, ‘Oh yeah, I can go down into Xfinity, I can win races.’ It doesn’t mean his career is over,”
he added. —Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
The competitive stakes at Trackhouse Racing are heightened as Shane van Gisbergen is confirmed to remain with the team next season, in contrast to Daniel Suarez, whose contract status remains unresolved. If competitor Connor Zilisch continues in the Xfinity Series into 2026, an open spot could emerge for Suarez at the Cup level, yet his future hinges on these shifting team dynamics and his on-track results in the coming weeks.
The intensifying pressures, mixed results, and looming contract decisions pose significant challenges for Daniel Suarez as he aims to prove his value both on and off the track. The next races will be decisive for the Monterrey native, as each finish shapes his prospects with Trackhouse and in NASCAR’s premier series.
