Trackhouse Racing might have struck gold with one of their latest signings but it can spell the end for another driver in the Cup Series. Driver moves in NASCAR have always intrigued fans and analysts. With only a few weeks left to the end of the 2023 season, drivers who are out of contract or have a year left will be looking at their options. But what is it about Trackhouse Racing that is so intriguing? On a recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin provided valuable insight into the matter.

Currently, Trackhouse Racing operates with two full-time drivers, Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. The 2023 season has not been one to remember as none of those drivers are in the round of 8. So maybe change is on the horizon and the driver under threat may be Daniel Surez. After Ross Chastain bagged the $110 billion sponsor Anheuser-Busch from Kevin Harvick earlier this season, his future with the team has pretty much been secured for now. That is not the case with Daniel Suarez.

Denny Hamlin might have put a lot of pressure on Daniel Suarez

Daniel Suarez is the driver of the 99 for Trackhouse Racing. The 31-year-old has pretty much been a nonfactor this season simply because he has not been good enough. The driver of the 99 did not qualify for the playoffs and is yet to register a victory this season. His time with Justin Marks’ team may be coming to an end.

Trackhouse Racing has signed a long-term deal with one of the brightest prospects in NASCAR today who will be full-time in the Cup Series starting in 2024. But 2023 will not be Daniel Saurez’s last year with the team. The 31-year-old will get the entirety of next season to prove his worth.

The man who Justin Marks signed is the exciting and quick Zane Smith. The 2022 Truck Series champion will be a part of the Cup Series as a full-timer from next season but not with Trackhouse racing for now. He will be a part of Spire Motorsports alongside Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar. Smith will make the move to Trackhouse in 2025 as a replacement for Daniel Suarez, as per Denny Hamlin.

“Obviously, Zane is just kind of on loan over there for Trackhouse that it’s a TBD seat of where Zane will go in 2025 but you gotta assume they’re either going to look for a charter and, you know, run three cars or this could be a possible replacement for the 99,” Hamlin said on the latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast.

But there is still hope for Daniel Suarez. According to FOX, Justin Marks said that they would be looking to expand to a third driver seat for 2025. So the 31-year-old driver has to prove himself in 2024 and hope that the stars align for him.

However, Trackhouse Racing’s main story is the signing of Zane Smith. The 2022 Truck Series champion is one of the hottest prospects in the sport today. He was grateful to Trackhouse Racing for the Cup opportunity so early in his career.

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Trackhouse Racing’s new signing expresses gratitude for Cup opportunity

In an interview earlier this year, Zane Smith was asked about the opportunity to move directly to the Cup Series from the Truck Series. It is a feat very few drivers have been able to achieve so far.

“This just means the world to me. I almost didn’t have anything a couple of years ago. It was 365 days ago, I sat at Bob Evans with a very close friend and he asked me where I want to race one day. I think he expected maybe a different answer, but my answer was ‘Trackhouse’ and almost 365 days later I signed a contract with them,” an emotional Zane Smith had said back then as per ESPN.

The 24-year-old driver has caught the attention of a lot of fans and experts with his race craft of late. It will certainly be a young and exciting addition to the Cup Series. How will Zane Smith do in his first full-time Cup Series season? Let us know your thoughts. 

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