Daniel Suarez will not be competing with Trackhouse Racing next season, making him one of the most prominent free agents available for 2026. The team and Suarez announced the split on Tuesday, with no immediate replacement named. However, Connor Zilisch, a development driver for Trackhouse and currently fifth in the Xfinity Series standings with two wins under JR Motorsports, is expected to step into Suarez’s role.
Suarez, 33, currently ranks 29th in the series and holds the distinction of being the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup race, as well as the only driver to secure a National Series title—the 2016 Xfinity Series championship. Over his career, he has accumulated two Cup victories, including one at Sonoma in 2022 and two wins in Atlanta in 2024. His five-year tenure with Trackhouse was his longest in the Cup, following previous stints at Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Ganassi Racing.
Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing’s owner, praised Suarez’s significant role in the team’s origin and early success, highlighting his work ethic and dedication. For the upcoming season, the driver market is quite tight, with few teams having open seats for 2026. Legacy Motor Club aims to expand to three cars but is entangled in a legal dispute with Rick Ware Racing over a charter purchase agreement. If Legacy does expand, Suarez is a strong candidate due to his solid relationship with Toyota, boasting 23 top-five and 71 top-ten finishes in his Cup career.
Should a competitive Cup ride not materialize, Suarez may consider returning to JR Motorsports or another competitive Xfinity or Truck Series team, where he has already shown success.
Fan Take: Daniel Suarez’s departure from Trackhouse Racing marks a significant shake-up for the NASCAR landscape, as a talented and historic driver is now free to make a big move. This opens intriguing possibilities for 2026 and beyond, especially with Suarez’s proven skill and marketability potentially influencing team strategies and driver lineups across multiple series.
