Trackhouse Racing 2025 season ended with both achievements and challenges, as team owner Justin Marks reflected candidly on the difficulties his drivers faced and the new direction ahead. Despite setbacks throughout the year, standout performances and the introduction of fresh talent are shaping the team’s path forward in NASCAR.
Challenges and Highlights for Trackhouse During 2025
The 2025 campaign proved to be a period of mixed fortunes for Trackhouse Racing. Team owner Justin Marks acknowledged a general lack of speed across the board, but he also celebrated the success delivered by Shane van Gisbergen, whose impressive record made this season the most victorious in the organization’s history. Van Gisbergen clinched five wins, with his dominance on road courses earning him the Rookie of the Year honor, despite some continued struggles on oval tracks.
Ross Chastain, well known from his past performances, saw a drop in his lap-leading statistics, finishing 82 laps at the front—a significant decrease from over 300 last year. One bright spot for Chastain came at Charlotte, where he secured a crown jewel victory. His consistency helped him finish within the top ten in standings, providing the team some cause for optimism during a turbulent season.
Daniel Suarez faced hardships that culminated in his departure from the No.99 seat partway through the year, following an average finish of 25.9, which was the lowest among the three primary lineups. Despite not completing the season under Trackhouse, Suarez has since found a new opportunity with Spire Motorsports and will aim to revitalize his career there.
Sharing his thoughts with NASCAR reporter Adam Stern, Justin Marks emphasized both the difficulties faced and the victories achieved:
“Probably as a whole, it’s been the most difficult year that we’ve had, just general speed and performance. But on the flip side of that, we won more races this year than we ever have as a business, big thanks to what Shane has done on road courses this year.” – Justin Marks, Team Owner
Upcoming Changes: Connor Zilisch Takes the Spotlight
Looking to inject new energy into the team’s roster, Trackhouse Racing is gearing up for a transition in the coming season. The highly regarded Connor Zilisch is set to join the team, bringing with him the same No.88 car number familiar from the Xfinity Series. Shane van Gisbergen, meanwhile, will switch to the No.97 for the new season, marking a significant reshuffle as the team searches for improved consistency and results.
Justin Marks Discusses the Promise of Connor Zilisch
Owner Justin Marks has shown high confidence in Zilisch’s abilities, citing his adaptability and mental approach as differentiators among racing newcomers.
“The talent that is on its way up is as good as it’s ever been, and he’s just a true outlier. The way he’s been able to attack his rookie season, win at tracks he’s never been to before, but it’s also the stuff you can’t really see on TV. It’s his attitude, it’s his intelligence, how he approaches it and all that, his confidence, he will not be intimidated,” he said via Sports Business Journal. – Justin Marks, Team Owner
“I think he’s got all of the ingredients and tools necessary to be a huge star in this sport,” he added. – Justin Marks, Team Owner
Zilisch had a standout year in the Xfinity Series, claiming ten wins but falling short of the championship as Jesse Love surged ahead during the final. Despite not taking the title, Zilisch accumulated 20 top-five finishes, eight pole positions, and led over a thousand laps, closing the season with an average finish of eight. Notably, his campaign was marked by resilience, returning from two significant injuries to produce record-setting results at just 19 years old.
The Road Ahead for Trackhouse Racing
With new talent in Connor Zilisch and a strong foundation set by proven race winners such as Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing is actively charting a new course for the future. The organization’s readiness to embrace change and foster driver development signals a renewed focus for the next NASCAR All-Star events and beyond. As Marks’ candid reflections and high-intensity outlook show, the team is working to blend hard-learned lessons from 2025 with fresh ambition, aiming for greater accomplishments in the seasons ahead.
.@JustinMarksTH: "Probably as a whole, it’s been the most difficult year that we’ve had, just general speed and performance. But on the flip side of that, we won more races this year than we ever have as a business, big thanks to what Shane has done on road courses this year." pic.twitter.com/TIP42UOikP
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) November 11, 2025
