Heading into the 2024 season, there’s no team making as many waves as Trackhouse Racing. From Justin Marks bringing in Shane Van Gisbergen and Zane Smith to announcing their major MotoGP venture, the future of the team looks to be in safe hands. However, while all eyes are on Ross Chastain and Pitbull for the Daytona 500, there’s been a major change that concerns Daniel Suarez and the underperforming #99 Mustang.

Suarez failed to enter the playoffs last season. It resulted in pressure piling on the team to ensure both sides of the garage are up to speed, causing the #99 to gain a new crew chief. However, the swap of former SpaceX engineer and Kaulig Racing crew chief, Matt Swiderski, in place of Travis Mack, has been more bittersweet for Suarez than for most.

Daniel Suarez saddened by Travis Mack’s departure from Trackhouse Racing

In a recent interview from NASCAR Fox that was shared by Bob Pockrass on Twitter, Daniel Suarez welcomed the new crew chief whilst also revealing why the swap was rather ‘difficult’. While Suarez reaffirmed Swiderski’s talent by sharing that the two had been familiar with each other for some time, the Mexican gave fans some insight into why the change was necessary.

Suarez stated, “It wasn’t because one person decided to make a change or because I wanted to make a change, I would say that nobody was really happy with the way we performed last year. Last year was one of those years that we had a lot of lessons and you really have to try to learn from them and try to be better.” The #99 driver added that since there was little to no progress in 2023 for his side of the garage, Trackhouse had decided to make some major changes, but “We didn’t know where to start, and they felt a need to make a change,” Suarez stated.

The change that was then decided upon was to bring in Matt Swiderski. He not only showcased great talent through his stint with Kaulig Racing but also experienced what it’s like dealing with championship drivers like Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. However, the crew chief of the #99 since the very beginning of Trackhouse, Travis Mack, had evidently left a lasting impression on Daniel Suarez.

The Mexican expressed his displeasure at the exit of Mack, sharing, “It was quite difficult to be honest because I have a very very strong personal relationship with Mack and we started together in Trackhouse but at the end of the day. I want to win as well as he does and if things weren’t working out great we needed to find something to make things better for the #99 team.”

Watch this story: NASCAR to test its first electric compact utility vehicle at the Clash in Los Angeles 

After taking a look at how important Travis Mack was for Daniel Suarez on a personal level, one can’t help but wonder if this swap will have an inverse effect on what was intended. However, if we take a look at what Swiderski had to say, Trackhouse fans can expect some relief.

Suarez and Matt Swiderski are both ‘striving to achieve the same thing‘ in 2024

Trending

Chase Elliott Refuses to See Eye to Eye With Dale Jr’s NASCAR Vision With 9-Words

May 18, 2024 06:25 PM EDT

Chase Elliott Skeptical of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Revival of NASCAR’s “Lost Relic” After Years of Deliberation

May 18, 2024 07:11 PM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Stepmother Follows Through on the Grudge, With His Legacy Also Hanging in the Balance

May 16, 2024 04:49 AM EDT

Rick Hendrick & Co.’s Partnership with Tarnished Sponsor Triggers Bitter Outburst- “F*CK Liberty”

May 17, 2024 04:29 PM EDT

Rick Hendrick Lending a Helping Hand to Stewart-Haas Racing Amid Dire Times Leaves Insider Infuriated

May 19, 2024 06:50 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

It’s no secret that Justin Marks is leaving no stone unturned to secure a bright future for Trackhouse. With the inclusion of Matt Swiderski, that vision can now expect itself to continue in safe hands. After all, if Swiderski’s win with Allmendinger last season at the Charlotte Roval is any indicator of his plans for the future, there’s not much stopping Trackhouse from giving 23XI and Joe Gibbs Racing a run for their money.

Reflecting on the new venture with Trackhouse and Daniel Suarez, Matt Swiderski was quoted by Racer, “Everyone sees what Trackhouse Racing is building and I am thankful for the opportunity to come to a winning organization and lead the No. 99 team. I am looking forward to working with Daniel. We are both striving to achieve the same thing – winning. Every day we are going to work on perfecting the next steps that it takes to get more wins and compete for a championship.”

So with the new leader already showcasing big ambitions, do you think Trackhouse Racing has made the right call? Or will Daniel Suarez regret the departure of Travis Mack for longer?

Richard Childress Makes More Personnel Changes as Kyle Busch’s Former Employee Joins RCR