Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet driver from No. 9 Quaker, celebrates after winning NASCAR … more
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Daniel Suarez’s contract with trackhouse races has been renewed and for now he is not in line for 2026.
However, the popular Mexican driver may be increasing his chances of an extension. With NASCAR’s return to Mexico (and its Cup Series debut), Suarez’s international popularity is on display in full display. He is not only under pressure from fans in Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez’s hometown, but is expected to work well on the track he knows amidst uncertainty about his future.
Suarez started the weekend with a qualifying accident for the Xfinity Series and was forced to use NASCAR’s new international tentative. His JR Motorsports team had to create a backup car within just a few hours of the race, and was not even allowed to wrap the car in the original Quaker State Paint scheme.
However, he jumped over the field after his final start, scoring his fourth career Xfinity series victory.
“It’s a very special day and being in front of my people is a very special day. All these people who have supported me for years have known me since my NASCAR Mexican days, now I’m fighting the big boys,” Suarez said after the race.
Regardless of his results in Sunday’s Cup debut in Mexico, the victory may help his efforts to renew his contract with Trackhouse Race.
The team has four drivers who can use three spots in 2026. Suarez drives 99 cars, with road trail ace Shane Vangesbergen pilots riding car number 88 and Rothshastain in one car. Chastain is on a contract until 2027, but Van Gisbergen is not guaranteed a seat. Truckhouse also has a contract with Xfinity series driver Connor Zilisch. ConnorZilisch is an 18-year-old rookie who has already acquired a cup rep.
However, Suarez is struggling with truck house in his fifth year. He made the playoffs last year and finished 12th after a victory in Atlanta. However, he finished 28th in Mexico in the rankings with an average finish of 21.1.
The victory was a race in the Xfinity series, but showed off Suarez’s potential and his popularity. He will be in 10th place in the Cup race.
