Daniel Suarez recently announced his departure from Trackhouse Racing, marking the end of his stint with the team after the 2025 season. The Mexican driver has been a prominent figure in the Cup Series, driving the #99 Chevy Camaro ZL1 and achieving two wins, 23 top-five finishes, and 71 top-10 finishes in his nine-year career. With three pole positions and 886 laps led, Suarez has left a lasting impact on the series.
In light of Suarez’s departure, NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass has expressed doubts about Connor Zilisch potentially replacing him in the Cup Series. Zilisch, an 18-year-old rising star, has been impressing with his performance in the Xfinity Series this season. With three wins and nine top-five finishes in 20 starts, Zilisch has shown remarkable talent and consistency on a variety of tracks.
While Pockrass initially suggested that Zilisch should continue in the Xfinity Series next year, his recent string of top-five finishes has changed his perspective. Pockrass now believes that Zilisch is ready to make the leap to the Cup Series in the upcoming season. However, he also acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from the Xfinity Series to the more competitive Cup Series.
Despite Pockrass’s reservations, Trackhouse Racing has shown confidence in Zilisch’s abilities by giving him opportunities to race in the Cup Series. Zilisch has made three starts in the top-tier series, posting finishes of P37, P23, and 11th at various tracks. The team has expressed interest in featuring Zilisch in more Cup Series races, indicating their belief in his potential.
In a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Daniel Suarez shared his perspective on parting ways with Trackhouse Racing. He expressed no hard feelings towards the team and emphasized that it was simply a new chapter in his career. With the team expanding to a three-car charter organization and signing Shane van Gisbergen for the 2025 season, Suarez’s departure opens up opportunities for new drivers like Zilisch to make their mark.
Overall, the NASCAR community is abuzz with speculation about Zilisch’s future in the Cup Series and how he will fare against the competition. As the season progresses and more opportunities arise for Zilisch to showcase his talent, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can live up to the expectations set by his impressive performances in the Xfinity Series.
