Trackhouse Racing heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend, aiming to build momentum and achieve a breakthrough performance as the NASCAR Cup Series continues its packed early-season schedule. The team is looking to assert itself at the 1-mile Arizona oval, with attention on adapting to the challenges presented by the diverse racing calendar and strong competition at this phase of the year. Trackhouse Racing Phoenix Raceway Advance remains a focus for both drivers and crew as they prepare for the high-intensity event.
Ross Chastain Reflects on Season’s Critical Stretch
Ross Chastain, a central figure for Trackhouse, views the upcoming races—including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Darlington, and Martinsville—as a defining stretch for the team and the season’s landscape. Chastain explained his approach to this run of races, noting how these events can offer a condensed overview of team performance and driver capability across varying track configurations.
“Yeah, I feel like Phoenix, Vegas, Darlington and Martinsville, that’s a month snapshot there of the season because there is a mix of everything. The points won’t reflect it, but those four weeks, if you just kind of bookmark them, beginning and at the of the month, I think you get a good snapshot of who’s the best right now.”
— Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing driver
Chastain recognizes that while the points may not always tell the full story, this portion of the schedule will reveal which teams have established themselves as early contenders.
Adapting to a New Crew Chief Dynamic
Chastain and his crew chief, Brandon McSwain, continue to fine-tune their communication and working relationship. With McSwain still relatively new as a full-time Cup crew chief, their collaboration has already shown positive signs, though Chastain admits there are adjustments still being made on both sides—especially with in-car communication and race-day feedback.
“We’re working through just slight things that I need, communication-wise in the car. Out of the car we’re great. Getting his lingo down and him confidently speaking on the radio is something we’re stepping through now. He has a couple of races in the books now as a full-time crew chief, and he has done very well.”
— Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing driver
This ongoing process is key as both look to maximize the car’s potential, particularly at a dynamic track like Phoenix.
Anticipation for IndyCar & NASCAR Weekend at Phoenix
The Phoenix race weekend stands out as it brings both the NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar events to the same venue, which excites many drivers with crossover backgrounds or connections in open-wheel racing. Chastain, who was previously a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, sees this as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and witness top-level racing from another series.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the people but I’m not excited for the probably confusing feeling we’ll have with their rubber versus our rubber. I was fully ingrained in IndyCar from 2018 to 2021 as a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing. I went to Christmas events and testing down in Sebring with them. I’ve met Scott (Dixon), I’m a big Alex Palou fan and big fan of Scott fan as well. Alex and I kind of came in at a similar time. We can poke fun at each other and have some fun. He came over one time and made fun of the watch I was wearing because it was a cheap watch and he’s like, ‘you got to buy a better watch, man.’ So yeah, I’m super excited to have watched his career over there. On Alex’s side, it reminds me of a young Scott Dixon and what Chip’s been able to do with Mike Hull over there. I’m definitely looking forward to going over there and shake some hands and put my arms around those guys. I still stay in contact with Chip and he gets down to Florida quite a bit so I’ve seen him down there.”
— Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing driver
Balancing the challenges of mixed rubber on track with the social side of racing, Chastain’s background underlines the broad connections Trackhouse brings to the event.
Parker Zilisch Breaks Down NASCAR Cup Experience and Phoenix Outlook
Parker Zilisch, also representing Trackhouse, analyzed his introduction to the NASCAR Cup Series and his anticipation for Phoenix. He emphasizes the aggressive style of Cup racing, while also noticing a different approach among top drivers compared to the O’Reilly Series, especially when advancing through the field.
“I feel like it’s aggressive in Cup, but when I was coming through the field at COTA there were a lot more guys who were generous than I remember on Saturdays. Even when you get to the top-10, guys aren’t racing you when they know that you’re faster. On Saturdays, I feel like every guy races you hard for every spot, even if you’re a second faster. I can’t say the restarts are any less aggressive in Cup because I got taken out twice last Sunday. The Cup guys are all really smart. I feel like they make a lot more intelligent moves to put you in bad spots. It’s a lot harder to make up positions in those moments than it is on Saturday.”
— Parker Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing driver
Zilisch is particularly enthusiastic about returning to Phoenix, highlighting the track’s unique features and the excitement of sharing it with IndyCar drivers. He values both the technical challenges the circuit offers and the spirit of competition with familiar faces.
“I’m excited to go back to Phoenix and I love racing there. That track is awesome and the restarts are crazy. It’s wide and there’s a lot of room to make moves and move around to change the balance on your car. I’m looking forward to getting out there and sharing the track with IndyCar this weekend. We’ll get to see them in person for the first time in a few years, probably since the Indy road course. I’m looking forward to seeing the friends that I have in the IndyCar paddock.”
— Parker Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing driver
The Chaotic Nature of Phoenix Restarts
Phoenix Raceway’s restarts, particularly when transitioning from the flat dogleg to the banking, are known for their unpredictability and intense on-track battles. Zilisch describes the physicality and confusion that often follows, both for drivers and spotters, as everyone tries to position themselves for maximum gain.
“Even in the O’Reilly Series there were times you had to pull your helmet back down because pulling back onto the track is so aggressive. It’s a big bump coming back up on the racetrack after getting down on the dogleg. The restarts at Phoenix are just crazy. I feel bad for the spotters having to call however many wide you are, how many are outside of you and how many are inside. It’s always chaotic there. I’m looking forward to seeing how it is with the Cup guys.”
— Parker Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing driver
He further analyzed racing lines and strategies, warning that risks abound for those attempting the low line in Turn 1 unless they have a significant tire advantage.
“It’s an option but you have to have a tire advantage on the cars ahead of you to make it work. If you are on similar tires to the people around you and you go down there, you’re going to come off Turn 2 going what feels like 20 miles an hour slower and everybody is going to be blowing by you on the outside. It’s risky. You’ve got to get clear and be able to take other people’s momentum. If you exit Turn 2 all the way down by the wall, that’s where you’re going to get yourself into trouble.”
— Parker Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing driver
This insight reflects the technical nuance and split-second decisions drivers must navigate at Phoenix, making it a true test of adaptability.
Shane van Gisbergen Emphasizes Fun and Team Camaraderie
Shane van Gisbergen, another key name in the Trackhouse lineup, has rapidly become one of the sport’s prominent road course racers, notching eleven victories across NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Series events. He credits the positive, energetic environment at Trackhouse for helping maintain his passion and enjoyment, noting how the team dynamic makes racing feel less like a grind.
“It’s been pretty awesome! I’ve had a whole lot of fun racing here. Every year I’ve enjoyed it so much and it doesn’t seem like a grind. I got to the end of last year and I was tired, but I had a week off and I was ready to get going again (laughs). There is such a great group of guys and girls at Trackhouse, and it makes racing every weekend so enjoyable.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver
As the season progresses, van Gisbergen is set to tackle several tracks for the second or third time, focusing on improvement, especially at challenging locations like Phoenix, where he sees room to grow. He acknowledges that while the equipment is up to the task, areas such as adapting to limited practice time and learning track-specific nuances remain key challenges.
“There are a couple of tracks I really struggle at for some reason, Phoenix is one of them. It’s a type of track I need to improve myself. I know my car can do it, but the racing is so much more tough with not a lot of practice. It’s hard, but that is where I need to get better and then, just continue to keep growing at the bigger tracks. I felt like we’ve made some real progress there, so we need to keep it going.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver
Progress and Adaptation after a Full NASCAR Cup Season
Van Gisbergen delved into how his driving style has evolved, especially after spending significant time in the Cup Series environment. Adjusting to these cars and building rapport with the team has gradually shifted setup philosophy to better match his driving sensibility, leading to more consistent results.
“You just learn what you want and need from a car. My driving style was very different to most, I guess. The way I make the car work or want it to work is very different to others. We noticed a lot of trends which took a while to get everyone to adjust to. I adjusted a bit but now we’re sort of coming my way a bit, which has kind of helped me. It’s interesting. The cars are set up so different to what I’m used to and I’m still trying to understand what I need or want from the car.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver
Van Gisbergen’s journey underlines the diversity of backgrounds at Trackhouse and how adaptation drives team progress.
Corporate Partners Support Trackhouse’s Efforts
Trackhouse Racing enjoys significant partnership backing, including support from Kubota Tractor Corporation and Wendy’s Company. Kubota, headquartered in Texas, delivers a range of agricultural and construction equipment across the U.S., while Wendy’s with its worldwide franchise network, continues to serve as an iconic food brand and a supporter of adoption initiatives via the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. These relationships enhance Trackhouse’s ability to remain competitive on and off the track by providing vital resources and expanding outreach beyond motorsport circles.
Shaping the Remainder of Trackhouse’s Season
With Phoenix Raceway providing a benchmark for team performance and the added spectacle of shared weekend billing with IndyCar, Trackhouse Racing is positioned to make a statement at a crucial time in the calendar. Key figures like Ross Chastain, Parker Zilisch, and Shane van Gisbergen are determined to convert early season lessons into tangible results. The race will not only showcase technical skill and adaptability but also highlight Trackhouse’s signature energy and enthusiasm, which could prove decisive as the season advances.
All eyes now turn to Phoenix, where Trackhouse Racing’s pursuit of consistency and breakthrough moments continues amid fierce competition and evolving partnerships, setting the tone for their trajectory into the rest of 2024.
