Daniel Suarez is at the center of intense speculation regarding his 2026 racing prospects after it was confirmed he would not return to Trackhouse. With proven success in NASCAR and considerable marketing appeal, Daniel Suarez’s 2026 racing options are drawing keen interest from several notable teams.
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing: A Fresh Start Possible
The current atmosphere at McAnally-Hilgemann Racing is split, with one group, including Tyler Ankrum and Daniel Hemric, making playoff waves through strong performances, while the pairing of Jack Wood and rookie Connor Mosack has seen limited success, accumulating only three top ten finishes. Though Mosack is early in his career with potential to grow, Jack Wood’s tenure, now in its fifth year, has delivered just four top ten results, suggesting the team may be ready for a shake-up.
With Spire Motorsports rumored to be moving from their truck operation to Xfinity, this shift could strengthen ties with chevrolet/”>Chevrolet and boost the likelihood of Daniel Suarez landing a seat. Spire’s change also increases incentive for Chevrolet to invest in the team‘s competitiveness. The Chevy camp is already loaded with experienced drivers such as Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Ross Chastain, alongside up-and-coming prospects like Carson Hocevar, Connor Zilisch, Kaden Honeycutt, and Nick Sanchez. Despite this depth, the strategy of bringing in a veteran like Daniel Suarez might produce immediate results, especially as Chevrolet weighs long-term options like McKee, who still needs a few years of development.
JR Motorsports: A Homecoming Rumored
Rumors of Daniel Suarez returning to JR Motorsports have gained traction, especially after his Xfinity Series win with JRM on home soil and public comments from Dale Jr. acknowledging the possibility of signing the Mexican driver. Suarez previously won the Xfinity Series championship with JRM in 2016, and the success he demonstrated in Mexico illustrates his ability to step into one of Dale Jr.’s cars and contend right away. Given the Chevy lineup is already saturated with top talent, bringing in established veterans could be JRM’s next play.
Determining who Suarez could potentially replace remains uncertain. Carson Kvapil and Justin Allgaier are expected to stay, with Kvapil impressing as a rookie protégé and Allgaier as the defending Xfinity champion. Sammy Smith has previously switched from JGR to JRM, so another move is plausible. Connor Zilisch appears to be the likeliest candidate who could make room for Suarez should the team pursue the move.
Hyak Motorsports: Cup Ambitions and Big Moves
Hyak Motorsports has emerged as a potential landing spot for Daniel Suarez, who is believed to prefer staying in the Cup Series. With numerous charters newly available after developments between FRM and 23XI Racing, Hyak could seek to solidify its status by investing in a veteran. Securing a proven driver like Suarez would help the team distinguish itself from their competitors and show a commitment to building a contending operation. With Suarez’s two Cup Series wins and strong Xfinity credentials, the foundation is there to elevate Hyak into a serious force, recalling how FRM evolved its own competitive program with experienced talent at the wheel.
Kaulig Racing: Rebuilding with Veteran Strength
Kaulig Racing has seen considerable change, shifting from one of the most promising Xfinity organizations to a mid-tier Cup presence, now edging back toward the Xfinity pack. AJ Allmendinger remains the team’s most reliable contender, still in the playoff mix, while Ty Dillon has managed only one top-ten in 2025, raising questions about the team’s direction.
Signing Daniel Suarez could inject new capability, especially on road courses where his skill could shine. If Kaulig follows through on its rumored Xfinity sale to Spire, the resulting funds, combined with a potential in-season tournament success from Ty Dillon, might enable the team to restructure around Cup winners and proven road course dominators. This strategy could transform Kaulig into one of NASCAR’s best mid-tier teams and create new opportunities for Daniel Suarez to reestablish himself as a top contender next season.
The choices facing Daniel Suarez for the 2026 season highlight the demand for proven race winners and the shifting priorities of NASCAR organizations seeking victory and stability. As top teams weigh veteran presence against youth development, Suarez’s track record, bilingual marketability, and adaptability position him as one of the most sought-after free agents for the coming season. With the changing landscape of team rosters and ongoing moves by organizations like Trackhouse, Kaulig Racing, Hyak Motorsports, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, and JR Motorsports, the story of where Daniel Suarez drives next continues to generate speculation and excitement throughout the NASCAR community.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Daniel Suarez?
A. Suarez discussed his departure from Trackhouse, mentioning he no longer felt a good connection with the team. After spending five years there, Daniel Suarez will leave Trackhouse at the end of the 2025 season. On Saturday, he shared the reasons behind this decision during interviews with the media.
Q. Did DANIEL SUAREZ pass his citizenship test?
A. On April 29, Suarez shared a video on Instagram announcing that he passed his citizenship test. He is excited about becoming a dual citizen. Before achieving his Cup Series dream, he drove the No.
Q. How did DANIEL SUAREZ learn English?
A. Back then, I didn’t have the money for English classes. So, I taught myself by watching movies, cartoons, and reading. It was quite a journey. In a 2018 interview, Suarez shared why he chose to learn through cartoons and movies.
