Ross Chastain’s Future in Doubt as NASCAR Career Hits New Low

Trackhouse Racing’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign has been a narrative of ambition, adaptation, and unexpected outcomes. The team’s lineup, featuring Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen, and Daniel Suárez, showcased a blend of experience and fresh talent. 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. However, his perseverance paid off when he secured his first career Cup Series oval top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway. While Chastain has seen a mix of highs and lows. His victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May marked Trackhouse Racing’s first crown jewel triumph. However, his performance at Kansas Speedway during the Hollywood Casino 400 was less impressive. Starting from the 9th position, Chastain finished 11th, failing to lead any laps and earning 35 points with a driver rating of 9.0.

Despite these, he remains in contention for the playoffs, sitting 9th in the standings, just 13 points behind 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.

ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 22: Ross Chastain 1 TrackHouse Racing Moose Fraternity Chevrolet looks on during qualifying for the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 on February 22, 2025, at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, GA. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 22 NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250222074

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 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 7 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. His breakthrough came with a victory at the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City, where he dominated the field, winning from pole position.

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

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