Trackhouse Racing’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign has been a narrative of ambition, adaptation, and unexpected outcomes. The team’s lineup showcased a blend of experience and fresh talent. Ross Chastain, known for his aggressive driving style, secured a notable victory at the Coca-Cola 600, marking a high point in the season. SVG, making his full-time Cup debut, continued to impress with his road course prowess, adding multiple wins to his record. As the season progressed, the team’s dynamics shifted, setting the stage for significant changes in the driver lineup.

Despite their successes, both Chastain and SVG encountered difficulties on oval tracks. SVG, with limited oval experience, faced a steep learning curve, but he’s got some relief as he secured his first Cup top-10 oval finish at Kansas. In contrast, Chastain has seen a mix of highs and lows. Though his Charlotte win was Trackhouse’s first crown jewel triumph, his Kansas performance was less impressive. Starting from 9th, Chastain finished 11th, failing to lead any laps and earning 35 points with a driver rating 9.0.

Despite this, he remains in playoff contention, sitting 9th with 13 points below the cutline. But a striking statistic emerged from the 2025 season, as one fan mentioned that Chastain and SVG each recorded only 1 top-10 finish on oval tracks in the last 16 races. For Chastain, known for his aggressive maneuvers, the challenge was in balancing speed with consistency. SVG, transitioning from a road racing background, has to acclimate to the nuances of oval racing, including drafting and pit strategy. But a team shake-up next year could change the dynamic completely.

Midway through the season, Trackhouse Racing announced a significant change in its driver lineup. Daniel Suárez and the team mutually agreed to part ways after the 2025 season. Suárez, who had been with Trackhouse since its inception, expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided but acknowledged the need for new challenges. In his place, 19-year-old Connor Zilisch was promoted to the Cup Series for the 2026 season. Zilisch, a rising star with a dominant record in the Xfinity Series, was expected to bring fresh strategy and potential to the team.

The changes within Trackhouse Racing have sparked a range of reactions among fans. Many express excitement about Zilisch’s potential, while others worry about Chastain’s future, as the attention might shift from the veteran to the newcomer, further worsening his situation.

Optimism meets uncertainty for Chastain at Trackhouse Racing

A devoted Ross Chastain fan expressed deep frustration, saying, “Sigh… As a Chastain fan, this sucks. Something really needs to change next year. Will it? Probably not, because I was saying the exact same things this time last year.” This sentiment resonates with many who have witnessed Chastain‘s fluctuating performance over the past seasons. His result at Kansas was in stark contrast to his performance at the same track in 2024, where he led 52 laps and finished 2nd. Such fluctuations have led fans to question whether the changes they have hoped for will materialize in the upcoming season.

One fan wrote, “Oh somethings going to change. Connors going to suck up even more of Chastains resources.” While Zilisch’s impressive Xfinity Series performance, including nine wins, earned him the opportunity, some fans worry about the impact on existing drivers like Ross Chastain. Chastain has previously expressed frustration with the team’s qualifying struggles, stating that the speed of Trackhouse cars on Saturdays was “just terrible,” which affected his confidence. The introduction of a new driver would potentially shift focus and resources.

Another fan added, “Too bad Daniel has 2 and he’s being left out. Sad amigo noises.” Despite his amiable personality and historic achievements, including becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race at Sonoma in 2022, Suárez’s tenure at Trackhouse was marked by underperformance compared to his teammates. Suárez has struggled in the 2025 season, finishing 28th in the standings with only 2 top-5 finishes and no wins.

Some fans assessed, “And the crazy part is that, in the last 5 races alone, he should have had 4 top 10’s instead of just the 1 at Loudon. Darlington: Ran top 5 all race. Fueler messed up on the final stop and underfilled the car, which caused Ross to slip out of the top 10 in the final laps due to him having to save fuel. Gateway: Top 10 all day, but gets unlucky with the caution timing. Ends up trapped a lap down and finishes 24th. Kansas: Top 5/10 all day. Surgen f—s up with adjustments in the third stage and causes the car to become undrivable tight. Also, took 4 tires instead of an obvious 2 tire call on the final stop.”

For Chastain, these near-misses serve as a reminder of the fine line between success and failure in the sport. But one fan compared this stat to SVG’s, saying, “SVG is by far the best driver at Trackhouse since June. I accept my fate for saying this.” After a challenging start, including a 33rd-place finish at the Daytona 500 and several races outside the top 20, SVG’s fortunes began to change. Since his breakthrough at the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City, he’s been winning road courses and steadily progressing on ovals.

As Trackhouse Racing navigates a season of change, one thing is clear: the thrill of the race and the fans’ eyes remain unstoppable.