Trackhouse Racing Daytona 500 aspirations are at an all-time high as the team prepares for the 2026 running of NASCAR’s most famous event at Daytona International Speedway. With drivers Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch, and Shane Van Gisbergen sharing their perspectives, the organization is bringing energy and focus to one of motorsport’s most prestigious challenges.
Ross Chastain’s Pursuit of the Daytona Crown
Ross Chastain understands the significance of the Daytona 500, reflecting on how winning the event would represent a lifetime achievement, both personally and for Trackhouse Racing. Chastain acknowledged the weight of Daytona’s legacy, referencing the historic Harley J. Earl trophy and the efforts the France family invested in building NASCAR’s roots along the Florida coast. He shared how monumental such a victory would be, especially in the context of NASCAR’s storied history, and described his ongoing commitment to chasing that elusive win:
“Yeah, it’d be beyond words that I can really put out right now. And I can usually ramble about anything, but I don’t know what that would feel like. I mean, until I do it, and what I’ve learned through winning a couple of races now in the Cup Series is that first one was worth it. It was worth all of the sacrifice. If I never raced again, it was an accomplishment that I never thought I would get to, but that I had worked a long time to achieve. To win the Daytona 500 and the Harley J. Earl trophy, and having learned about the history, knowing what the France family has built over several generations, coming from the beach and building a superspeedway a couple miles from the coast, it would be incredible. All of the greats have competed at Daytona. Some of them have won, a lot of them have lost, and they’ve all lost a lot more than they’ve won. I don’t know what it’ll feel like, but I’m excited to find out one day, and I’ll work a long time to try to make that happen.”
– Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain explained that qualifying solo at superspeedway tracks like Daytona feels deceptively easy, but racing in a packed field transforms the challenge entirely. The unpredictable draft can rapidly rearrange the running order, and avoiding major accidents often determines the outcome. His experience includes tough finishes at Daytona, fueling his motivation to improve:
“Daytona and the superspeedways are the easiest tracks to drive by myself. Qualifying is not challenging. I hold it wide open. I can hold it wide open until I run out of gas. They can come put gas in my car and I can go back out and do it again on the same tires and be fine. You put all the competitors out there and it is challenging. The draft that we have, the car that qualifies on the pole could be in last on the first lap, just with the way the draft works. If they go to the very top, they’ll get passed by everybody. So it definitely is challenging when everybody’s out there. And then, like you said, trying to navigate the wrecks. I finished last in this race twice and I don’t want to do that again.”
– Ross Chastain, Driver
The Unique Demands of Racing at Daytona
Competing at Daytona International Speedway requires a particular mindset, according to Chastain. The high-speed pack racing, the constant threat of multi-car accidents, and the feeling of tension among drivers at the green flag test even the most experienced participants. Chastain discussed the psychological toll of the event and the decompression that follows a grueling Daytona 500:
“At Daytona, we’re only three-wide. There’s not room for four-wide like Talladega. We have tried four-wide at Daytona and we crash every time. So there’s definitely a bit of peace whenever it’s happening and I think that comes with just reps of doing it and being in several DAYTONA 500s. When we take the green flag, I couldn’t grip that wheel any tighter, but about the second or third lap, my grip starts to loosen up and I get into a really calm spot for most of the race. Post race though, I really just want a cold Busch Light. Once the race is over, once I’m done, I just want to like sit down at the back of the hauler. All the hype of speed week is over, the fans are leaving and we have to load up and it usually takes us a while. I just sit there and have a beer every year. Like, okay, the season has started. We’ve officially got the first race down and I really don’t want to talk to anybody. I’m just pretty quiet because mentally I’m drained.”
– Ross Chastain, Driver
This candor reveals how Daytona stands out, not only for its physical demands but also for the mental and emotional endurance required to compete at the highest level.
Connor Zilisch Prepares for Daytona Debut with Red Bull and Trackhouse
Young driver Connor Zilisch will make his first Daytona 500 appearance with the support of Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing. Building on the team’s creative and supportive culture, Zilisch commemorated the occasion with a special helmet featuring images of influential figures from his racing journey. He expressed excitement about embracing the milestone and the team backing him:
“It’s really cool to have that helmet for this weekend at Daytona. I have a lot of pictures of people who have helped me along the way and helped get me to this point where I’m racing in my first DAYTONA 500 with Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing. I thought I’d do something special for this race. Red Bull has always been super supportive of any cool idea that I have and I’m certainly grateful to them for letting me do this. I’m excited to bring along some of the people that have helped me get to this point for my first Daytona 500.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
For Zilisch, the weight of the moment is matched by his optimism and gratitude. He considers his participation as an opportunity to make a mark at one of North America’s biggest sporting events:
“It’s awesome. I think this is one of the biggest sporting events in our country and to be a part of it for the first time at my age is really cool. Hopefully we can go and make the most of our opportunity and have a solid day. Regardless of what happens it’s going to be a special experience for me.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
The Art and Pressure of Superspeedway Competition
Zilisch addressed the challenges of racing at Daytona and other superspeedways, highlighting the balance between luck and skill. Despite a mixed history on such tracks, he enjoys mastering the complex dynamics of the draft and navigating close-quarters racing:
“Superspeedway racing hasn’t been nice to me. I haven’t had the greatest record at those tracks, but I enjoy the craft of superspeedway racing. It’s tougher than people realize and it’s certainly a skill. You can say it’s luck, but at some point, it becomes the driver doing their job and putting themselves in the right spots to win races and stay out of trouble.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
Describing the sensation of running in a tight draft at Daytona or Talladega, Zilisch conveyed how difficult it is to maintain awareness at such high speeds—with drivers relying on their spotters to provide crucial information about their surroundings:
“You’ll be going at a certain speed without the draft and when you pick it up it’s like the engine picks up a different pitch. You can hear it in the engine when you pick up the draft. I don’t think people realize just how bad the visibility is. All you’re looking at is basically the bumper in front of you and you can’t see what’s going on in front of that. That is what makes superspeedway racing so difficult and what makes the spotters so valuable. They’re able to paint that picture around you and give you an idea of what’s going on five cars in front of you and five cars behind you because you can’t really see what’s going on around you.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
Shane Van Gisbergen: Building Momentum for Trackhouse Racing
Returning to Daytona for a second appearance, Shane Van Gisbergen recounted his introduction to the storied event and what he learned from his first attempt. The spectacle and scale of the Daytona 500 left an impression, despite a setback during the race:
“I enjoyed it last year. The race buildup is epic, like how much everyone is in to it, seeing the stands full, it’s an amazing racetrack. The race didn’t go very well for us last year; we got crashed early and limped around the rest of the race. Hopefully we can have a bit of a better result this year. As an event, it’s different to open the season with the biggest race of the year but it’s a pretty cool way to start as well! I’m looking forward to it.”
– Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Van Gisbergen has raced in major events across the world, but claims Daytona’s energy and environment are unparalleled. The pressure and excitement of competing before a packed crowd create an atmosphere unique to the 500:
“I’ve done a few big races, like a Bathurst 1000 and Le Man 24, I’ve been lucky enough to do those races. You get that vibe and buzz on the pre-race grid; all the drivers and teams are nervous but then the crowd is super excited. It’s a real mix of energy, it’s so cool to soak in these moments and to have the privilege of being a part of something so big like the DAYTONA 500. There is nothing like it.”
– Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Team Continuity and Determination for 2026
Reflecting on last season‘s progress, Van Gisbergen is encouraged by the upward trajectory of Trackhouse Racing’s teams and the continuity among its members. He expects these factors to be a foundation for even stronger results in 2026:
“It gives me a bit – just got to keep building. I felt like we ended last year really strongly, we had a really good upward trajectory on the ovals – our road courses were really strong. We just have to keep that momentum going. We have great continuity on the team, everyone on the 97 team are the same guys from the 88 team last year, I think we are in a really good spot to keep building up.”
– Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
The challenge of NASCAR has invigorated Van Gisbergen, fueling his eagerness for ongoing learning and growth. He credits the positive environment at Trackhouse Racing for keeping the experience enjoyable:
“It’s been so fun! It’s been good to have a fresh challenge, but also every week is something different, still learning something new. It’s been a lot of fun and a good change for me. The group of guys and girls I have on my car are really fun people to go to the racetrack with every weekend. I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this season. I’m excited!”
– Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Trackhouse Racing’s High Hopes and the Road Ahead
With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, Trackhouse Racing approaches the Daytona 500 and the 2026 season with excitement and confidence. The team has built a collaborative spirit, drawing strength from its drivers’ wide-ranging experiences and mutual support. As the Daytona 500 nears, Trackhouse Racing is determined to capitalize on its momentum, chase glory on NASCAR’s grandest stage, and create new milestones for the organization and its drivers. The journey to Daytona is filled with anticipation, and the entire Trackhouse Racing crew is focused on making the 2026 event a defining moment in their history.
