Justin Marks had a lot to think about after the Chicago Street Race. His team had just pulled off another stunning win with Shane van Gisbergen, but the weekend ended with a different kind of headline. One of the team’s most important chapters was coming to a close. What came next would show what kind of owner Justin Marks really wants to be—and where he’s steering Trackhouse Racing next.
Key Highlights
- Daniel Suárez’s departure marks a big shift in Trackhouse Racing’s long-term strategy
- Justin Marks reflects on five years with Daniel Suárez and their emotional final meeting
- Suárez struggled with performance in 2025 despite flashes of success
- Justin Marks gears up to drive a Next Gen car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
- Trackhouse Racing prepares for its next era with Shane van Gisbergen and rising stars
The End of a Key Partnership
When Trackhouse Racing first launched in 2021, Daniel Suárez was the driver who helped the team build its foundation. He gave the group its first top-five finish and their very first NASCAR Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway in 2022. For a while, it looked like he and Justin Marks were set for the long haul. But during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, things began to change.
Daniel Suárez admitted that the decision to part ways was months in the making. He described it as something that had “been brewing for six or seven months,” and said he felt “lighter” once it became public. Behind the scenes, the chemistry had shifted. In his own words:
“There have been several situations in the last eight months, 10 months, that I haven’t felt like I used to. It’s like being in a relationship and living together because you bought a house together.” – Daniel Suárez
Justin Marks also opened up about what led to the split. He explained that the two sat down to map out the next three to five years of the team’s growth. That’s when it became clear that a change had to happen.
“Daniel’s been a huge part of this company for four and a half years now. We just got to a point where that relationship had bared a lot of fruit for us, but it just was time to move on.” – Justin Marks
A Tough Season for Daniel Suárez
So far in 2025, Daniel Suárez has faced plenty of hurdles. Through 19 races, he logged just one top-five and three top-ten finishes. He also had four DNFs and a disappointing average finish of 30th. Even though he nearly won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and did score an Xfinity Series win in Mexico City, the consistency just wasn’t there.
Rumors started flying after the announcement, with some suggesting the decision came from a disagreement. But Justin Marks put that talk to rest.
“Him and I are in a really good place. We met last night in the hotel for an hour and talked about everything we accomplished together.” – Justin Marks
As Daniel Suárez looks for his next opportunity, Trackhouse Racing is preparing to build around its other drivers—Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, and likely Connor Zilisch, who is seen as a rising star within the organization.
Trackhouse Racing’s Big Picture
For Justin Marks, this isn’t just about one driver. It’s about shaping the identity and future of Trackhouse Racing. He’s already proven that his vision is bold. Signing Shane van Gisbergen full-time and giving Daniel Suárez his shot were both major moves. Now, he’s leaning into that same fearless mindset for what comes next.
“This isn’t a sport where you do the same thing forever.”
“As we grow, we felt like it was time to wrap up that relationship and help him find the next opportunity, while we continue to grow.” – Justin Marks
It’s a philosophy that has shaped Trackhouse Racing from day one—doing things differently, thinking ahead, and always staying open to what’s next.
Justin Marks Heads to Goodwood
Even with all the decisions happening off the track, Justin Marks is getting back behind the wheel. He’s heading to the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he’ll pilot the No. 87 Red Bull-sponsored Chevrolet. The event, held in West Sussex, England, is one of the biggest global showcases in motorsports, and NASCAR is once again in the spotlight.
“This is quite the honor for both Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR,” said Justin Marks. “NASCAR held its first points race in Mexico last month, and it was a huge success. There’s no better place to showcase our sport than Goodwood.”
Justin Marks is no stranger to driving. He’s a former IMSA winner and has competed in the Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and NASCAR Cup Series, including the Daytona 500. But this will be his first time driving a Next Gen car—a challenge he seems ready to take on.
News in Brief: Justin Marks Looks Ahead Without Daniel Suárez
Justin Marks is showing what it means to build a NASCAR team with a long-term plan. As Daniel Suárez moves on, there are no burned bridges—just a shared past and separate paths forward. Meanwhile, Trackhouse Racing continues to grow, led by stars like Shane van Gisbergen and new talent like Connor Zilisch. And even with a team to run, Justin Marks hasn’t given up the driver’s seat. At Goodwood, he’s ready to make more noise—not just as a team owner, but as a racer too.
