Corey LaJoie encourages Daniel Suarez future after news surfaced that Suarez and Trackhouse Racing will part ways at the end of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, ending their five-year collaboration. The announcement took place on Tuesday and marks a significant shift for both the team and the Mexican-born driver, who was the organization’s first-ever Cup Series competitor when Trackhouse launched in 2021.
LaJoie Offers Support Following Suarez and Trackhouse Split
The official confirmation solidified what many had speculated for weeks: Daniel Suarez and Trackhouse Racing have mutually agreed to separate following the 2025 campaign, capping a partnership that saw notable successes including two Cup Series wins. Suarez, now in his ninth full-time Cup season, achieved victories at Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 2024—where that Atlanta win formed part of the closest finish for the top three drivers in NASCAR history.
The team’s roster management also factors into this transition. Trackhouse currently operates three full-time NASCAR Cup entries but, at present, has four contracted drivers. Among them is 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, who competes in the Xfinity Series and is widely considered the expected successor to Suarez in the No. 99 car for 2026. Trackhouse has yet to officially name a replacement, but with Zilisch already under contract, a promotion seems likely.
Suarez Reflects on Achievements and Friendships
Before the official news, Daniel Suarez took to social media, framing the transition as a heartfelt “message to my amigos.” He reflected on the rapid rise of both himself and the organization from humble beginnings to a competitive force on the track, sharing thoughts about change and gratitude for the relationships gained along the way.
“I’ve had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team, and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021, and in just a couple of years, we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change, and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction,”
—Daniel Suarez, Driver
Corey LaJoie Encourages Suarez for the Road Ahead
Amid the responses to Suarez’s announcement, fellow driver Corey LaJoie offered a concise message of encouragement. LaJoie, known for his sportsmanship across the NASCAR garage, commented directly on Suarez’s social media post in a nod of support to a friend navigating a major transition.
“On to the next challenge, amigo,”
—Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
Suarez’s Career, Recent Struggles and Outlook
Suarez brings extensive experience from several top teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Gaunt Brothers Racing, and Trackhouse Racing, having joined the Cup Series in 2017 after Carl Edwards’ retirement. His record includes 305 career Cup starts and an Xfinity Series championship in 2016. Entering the upcoming Chicago Street Race, Suarez sits 29th in the points standings for the season.
While his career at Trackhouse included playoff runs in half of his four seasons, this year has proven more challenging for Suarez compared to his teammates, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, both of whom have secured wins and playoff berths in 2025. To secure his own future in the NASCAR Cup Series, Suarez faces mounting pressure to deliver strong results in the final eight regular-season races, hoping to earn another opportunity and extend his time competing at the sport’s highest level.
As the season continues and Trackhouse Racing prepares to transition its driver lineup, all eyes will be on Daniel Suarez’s performance and on the official decision regarding his replacement. The next steps will influence not only the team’s trajectory but also offer insight into the resilience and determination of drivers as they adapt to the evolving landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series.
