Daniel Suárez, NASCAR's first Mexican-born Cup Series winner, will part ways with Trackhouse Racing at the end of the 2025 season, the team announced Tuesday in a move that kicks off what promises to be an active driver market ahead of next year.
The mutual decision between Suárez and team owner Justin Marks ends a five-year partnership that began when Trackhouse entered NASCAR's premier series in 2021, with Suárez as the organization's flagship driver.
The announcement marks one of the first moves in NASCAR's annual "Silly Season" of driver changes1. Suárez's departure creates an opening at one of the sport's fastest-growing teams, with 18-year-old Connor Zilisch widely expected to step into the No. 99 Chevrolet23.
"Trackhouse and I have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2025 season," Suárez wrote on social media Tuesday4. "We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running upfront on a weekly basis."
The timing allows Suárez to explore opportunities earlier than typical contract negotiations, according to ESPN3. NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, a close friend of Suárez, responded to the news on social media: "Love you amigo. Lots of races left this year. Let's have some fun!"5
Suárez earned both of his Cup Series victories while driving for Trackhouse — at Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 202412. The wins secured playoff berths in both seasons, with his career-best 10th-place championship finish coming in 20223.
However, the 33-year-old driver has struggled this season, sitting 29th in points at the midpoint — just 31 points ahead of rookie teammate Shane van Gisbergen4. Meanwhile, teammate Ross Chastain ranks eighth in standings and has already secured a playoff spot with his Coca-Cola 600 victory4.
Trackhouse Racing has expanded from a single-car operation to three chartered teams since Suárez joined in 20211. The organization now fields cars for Suárez, Chastain, and van Gisbergen, while developing Zilisch in the Xfinity Series.
"The role Daniel has played in the Trackhouse origin story and its first five years will remain a valued part of the company's history forever," Marks said in a statement12. "His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career."
Suárez previously drove for Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing before joining Trackhouse3. His next destination remains unclear as NASCAR's driver carousel begins to turn.
