Latest news with #DanielSuarez
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Is 18-Year-Old Connor Zilisch Ready For Full-Time Cup Ride?
Although Trackhouse made no mention of Connor Zilisch in its news release about Daniel Suarez leaving after this season, Zilisch was definitely part of the message. You can count on one finger the number of candidates in play to possibly replace Suarez. Actually not candidates. Candidate. Zilisch. JR Motorsports has already considered who will replace Zilisch for next season, and that's assuming that Zilisch doesn't return full time to the Xfinity Series next year. He's a full-time Trackhouse driver, and the teams did a deal for him to race for JRM this season. The 18-year-old Zilisch, who turns 19 later this month, appears to be a future superstar. When I talk to people in the industry regarding him racing Cup full time in 2026, most tell me he should, that the cars in Xfinity are too different (so what he learns about the race car in Xfinity doesn't easily apply to a Cup car) and he is good enough to race on the next level. The stats pretty much bear that out. He has three wins with nine top fives in 20 career Xfinity Series races. He has top-five finishes in each of his last five starts on tracks that range from ovals 1.33 to 2.5 miles in length and a road course. That is staggering because he couldn't race on an oval bigger than 1.25 miles until he turned 18 a year ago. He sits fifth in the current Xfinity standings, despite missing a race because of a back injury. Zilisch did throw away the win at Mexico City with an impatient move on a restart. But that's going to happen. He has led laps in 12 of his 16 starts this year. As far as Cup, he has made three Cup starts with a best of 11th at Atlanta last week. The biggest question is whether he is mentally ready. Many feel he is. When he raced in Europe in his early teens, he would go on his bike to get food. He has a swagger but also a relaxed mentality where it appears the pressure doesn't get to him. The Xfinity Series is the best series for a driver to mentally prepare for Cup. The 33-week season doesn't allow much time to sulk when getting punched in the gut with bad breaks. A driver must put the past behind quickly and get ready for the next event. Up until last month, it would have been easy to question Zilisch. He had just three top 10s in the first 11 races this year. He had crashed out of three events and had four finishes of 20th or worse. But just look at his results in the last five weeks. He had a second at Charlotte, a second at Nashville, a fifth at Mexico City, a first at Pocono and a fourth at Atlanta. He came back from a three-week break (he missed Texas and then the series had back-to-back weekends off) and has finished strong every week. Let's be clear: There is absolutely no reason to really rush him. Another Xfinity Series season would probably do him good. But to say he's not ready? You can say it, but the results don't back up that sentiment. Trackhouse believes he is ready. Sponsor Red Bull probably wants him in Cup. The prudent approach would be concluding he should run Xfinity full time again next year. I personally felt that way in early May until this latest run. With every race, he makes it clear that he doesn't need another Xfinity season. There are plans for him to make more Cup starts this year. His recent results have been good. He's got the demeanor. All this indicates that moving Zilisch to Cup won't be a mistake and that he won't be one of those drivers talked about as elevated too soon. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Reuters
a day ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing ‘mutually' parting ways
July 1 - Daniel Suarez announced Tuesday that he and Trackhouse Racing have "mutually agreed to part ways" following the 2025 NACAR Cup Series season. Suarez has driven the No. 99 Chevrolet for Trackhouse since 2021. Both of his Cup Series victories came with the team (Sonoma in 2022, Atlanta in 2024). He was the 2015 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year, the 2016 Xfinity Series champion and the only Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race. It is unclear where Suarez will go after finishing the year with Trackhouse. He spent time with both Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing before joining the team. "Trackhouse and I have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2025 season," Suarez said in a statement. "I've had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team and I gained some incredible friends. 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. "Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change and we have agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, 'The best is ahead!'" Team owner Justin Marks said in a statement that Suarez played a crucial role in the first five years of Trackhouse Racing's history. "His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career," Marks said. "We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us. We are proud of his wins, his successes, the growth of his brand, and his emergence as a valuable athlete in America's greatest motorsport. But, most of all, I'm proud of him as a friend. I'm truly excited to see what awaits him in the next chapter of his amazing career. We are grateful for the professionalism, effort and heart he's brought to our organization." Suarez is currently 29th place in the Cup Series standings. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Fans React To Daniel Suarez's Big Announcement
NASCAR Fans React To Daniel Suarez's Big Announcement originally appeared on The Spun. Over the past five years NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez has enjoyed some of the best racing of his entire career including two trips to the NASCAR Cup playoffs and his first two race wins. Advertisement But on Tuesday, Suarez made an announcement about his career that could significantly change his fortunes. He announced this afternoon that he will be parting ways with his Trackhouse Racing team at the end of the season. "Trackhouse and I have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2025 season. I've had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team and I gained some incredible friends... "I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, The best is ahead!" NASCAR fans were overwhelmingly disappointed to hear that the two sides will be parting ways. Advertisement "Damn! I know it's part of the process in NASCAR race teams but this still sucks! We all kind of saw something like this happening when @pitbull left the team. No matter where you end up @Daniel_SuarezG , you will always have my support! You'll always be my driver," one user replied on X. "I really hope you find a top tier ride, you deserve it and I want you to succeed," wrote another. "Heartbreaking. 💔 I'm sorry to see you go @Daniel_SuarezG, I hope nothing but the best for you and hope you still are able jump into a completive seat next season and beyond!" a third wrote. DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by)"You came to united states with barely anything. Learned the language. Got your own rides, became an @NASCAR_Xfinity series champion. A @NASCAR cup series winner! And became an American citizen!! You sir a shining light of the things people can accomplish if they work hard!!" Advertisement Suarez made his debut in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing back in 2017, enjoying close to two dozen top-10 finishes while he was with the team. He had a year with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019 and competed with Gaunt Brother Racing in 2020 before joining Trackhouse. It's believed that Suarez's seat will be filled by teenage sensation Connor Zilisch in 2026. Related: Daniel Suarez Criticizes NASCAR for Inexperienced Driver's Debut NASCAR Fans React To Daniel Suarez's Big Announcement first appeared on The Spun on Jul 1, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Trackhouse Racing Confirms Daniel Suarez's Future Ahead Of Contract Expiry
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Daniel Suarez has confirmed that he and the Trackhouse Racing team have "mutually agreed" to part ways after the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 33-year-old driver has clinched two Cup Series victories over his five-year period with the Justin Marks-led team. He joined the team in 2021 and celebrated his best season finish in 2022, when he finished 10th in the standings. The Mexican driver confirmed with a message on social media: "Trackhouse and I have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2025 season. ... I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this 99 team will always be special to me. And I like I always say, The best is ahead!" A message to my amigos ⬇️ — Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) July 1, 2025 Team owner Justin Marks also commented in a statement: "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. "His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career. Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Quaker State Chevrolet, greets fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Quaker State Chevrolet, greets fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia."We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us. We are proud of his wins, his successes, the growth of his brand, and his emergence as a valuable athlete in America's greatest motorsport. "But, most of all, I'm proud of him as a friend. I'm truly excited to see what awaits him in the next chapter of his amazing career. We are grateful for the professionalism, effort and heart he's brought to our organization." NEWS: We've mutually agreed to part ways with @Daniel_SuarezG at the end of the season. — Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) July 1, 2025 In the formal statement, Suarez explained, "I've had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. "Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this No. 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, the best is ahead!" Suarez is yet to confirm his next steps in his career. Similarly, Trackhouse Racing has not announced who will replaced the Mexican driver from 2026 onwards.
Forbes
a day ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
NASCAR'S Daniel Suarez Will Leave Trackhouse Racing At End Of Season
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #9 Quaker State Chevrolet, celebrates with the Mexican flag after ... More winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 14, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by) The most successful driver from Mexico in NASCAR is moving on as Daniel Suarez of Monterrey will not return to the No. 99 Chevrolet at Trackhouse Racing after this season. Suarez, winner of two NASCAR Cup Series and four NASCAR Xfinity Series races with Trackhouse, is the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race and has been with Trackhouse Racing since it began competition in 2021. The 33-year-old Suarez and Trackhouse said it was a mutual decision. The move allows Suárez to pursue new opportunities in his racing career. Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship in 2016. Trackhouse Owner Justin Marks Thankful For Suarez Impact Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks said now is the right time to allow Suárez to pursue what's next in his racing career. '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. His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career,' Marks said. 'We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us. We are proud of his wins, his successes, the growth of his brand, and his emergence as a valuable athlete in America's greatest motorsport. But, most of all, I'm proud of him as a friend. I'm truly excited to see what awaits him in the next chapter of his amazing career. We are grateful for the professionalism, effort and heart he's brought to our organization.' Suárez will continue to compete for Trackhouse Racing for the rest of the 2025 season, as the team works to win more races and earn a playoff spot. 'I want to thank all the men and women at Trackhouse Racing for your love and support.' said Suárez. 'I've had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team, and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. "Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change, and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this No. 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, the best is ahead.'
