Daniel Suarez 2026 contract talks have intensified as Trackhouse Racing considers its lineup for the future, with uncertainty looming over Suarez’s position. The Justin Marks-led team faces a complex decision about which drivers will represent them moving forward, as rising talent Connor Zilisch emerges as a contender for a full-time seat.
Trackhouse Racing’s Driver Dilemma for 2026
Since August of last year, when Daniel Suarez agreed to a one-year extension to remain at the wheel of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing chevrolet/”>Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series, the team’s long-term strategy has been a focal point of discussion. Trackhouse, which entered the Cup Series just three years ago, runs three cars but must choose from four skilled drivers: Ross Chastain, Shane Van Gisbergen, Suarez himself, and 18-year-old developmental driver Connor Zilisch.
Zilisch is making waves as a rookie in the Xfinity Series, where he drives for JR Motorsports and has notched three race victories between 2024 and 2025. Despite still building his resume, he’s scheduled for four NASCAR Cup Series starts this season with Trackhouse, indicating that management may be preparing for a bigger role sooner rather than later.
Suarez’s Standing and On-Track Performance
The potential promotion of Zilisch could come at Suarez’s expense, placing his future within the organization in doubt. While Ross Chastain secured victory in the Coca-Cola 600 and Shane Van Gisbergen conquered Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Suarez remains the only Trackhouse driver not yet qualified for the Cup Series Playoffs. He currently sits 27th in championship points, with one top-five and three top-10 finishes this season, a performance level that adds to the uncertainty surrounding his long-term prospects.
Suarez expressed his uncertainty in a recent interview, stating,
“It’s going to be a few months,”
and added,
“We’ll see what happens. There are still a lot of things [up] in the air, right now. There are just some things that I’m just uncomfortable in a few areas, and a few things, but I love Trackhouse [Racing] and I love this team.”
—Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Driver
He elaborated further,
“This team, for me, has been my best home in the [NASCAR Cup Series]. I want to have more success with this team, and I want to see this team successful regardless of if I’m in it or not. Honestly, right now, everything is an option.”
—Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Driver
Trackhouse: A Turning Point After Years of Change
Across the early stages of his career, Suarez moved between several major organizations—Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Gaunt Brothers Racing—struggling to find consistency. It wasn’t until joining Trackhouse Racing in 2021 that he found notable success, highlighted by victories at Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 2024. Still, this year has posed new challenges both for Suarez and crew chief Matt Swiderski, impacted by difficulties in car speed throughout race weekends.
Suarez addressed the ongoing struggles and contract uncertainties in a conversation with Kevin Harvick:
“We just have to continue to work, and hopefully the results come and just see what happens, see what the future holds,”
he said.
“It’s a distraction to be thinking about this, I don’t like to be thinking about this every June, May, because it starts; people start asking questions, and the sponsors are asking ‘what are we going to do?’, and it’s never a good thing.”
—Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Driver
The Critical Stretch Ahead for Suarez and Trackhouse
The impending nine-race stretch could determine Suarez’s future at Trackhouse Racing. To secure a postseason spot for the third time in his Cup Series career, Suarez must win at least one race before the Playoffs begin. Fortunately, both Sonoma and Atlanta—sites of his previous Cup victories—appear on the schedule during this crucial period, offering the Monterrey, Mexico-native potential opportunities for a breakthrough.
What Lies Ahead for 2026?
As the season unfolds, questions remain about whether Daniel Suarez will remain behind the wheel of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet or move to a fifth different team in his decade-long Cup Series journey. The ongoing Daniel Suarez 2026 contract talks highlight the pressure and competition within NASCAR’s evolving landscape, particularly as Trackhouse Racing evaluates both established drivers and rising prospects like Connor Zilisch. The coming months will reveal whether Suarez can solidify his legacy with Trackhouse or face yet another change in a career defined by adaptation and resilience.
