Trackhouse Racing’s 2025 plans remain largely up in the air. Yes, Ross Chastain seems set to return in 2025, but, with Zane Smith likely gone from Spire Motorsports, Trackhouse has multiple drivers to slot into limited seats, even if they purchase a charter. Which of these drivers could be in the Cup Series for Trackhouse next season?
Zane Smith is likely on the move no matter what with Michael McDowell taking over the No. 71 car in 2024. It’s probably something Smith is okay with given how much he’s struggled in 2024. He’s currently under a multi-year contract with Trackhouse, so, Trackhouse will put him somewhere in 2025.
If Trackhouse buys a charter, Smith will likely be the first to slot in because he needs somewhere to go, and, bringing him into the fold fully could be a big help to him. However, given how much he has struggled, Trackhouse may drop him down to Xfinity with a team like Kaulig for a year to regain his confidence. However, that’s a harsh move for a driver after just one full season where he’s not even racing for the team he’s under contract with. There’s also the option of putting Smith in the Cup Series with Kaulig if Trackhouse cannot find another charter, but, again, Trackhouse would probably like to bring Smith into the fold entirely.
SVG has been okay in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series season. He nearly won at COTA, but, he sits 14th in points, 34 points out of the Playoffs. If Trackhouse does buy a charter or two, he could jump into the Cup Series in 2023, but, that’s not a guarantee.
The last time a Supercars driver made it to NASCAR full-time was Marcos Ambrose, who raced full-time in the Xfinity Series for 2 seasons before racing in Cup full-time. Trackhouse may take that route with SVG. Whether that’s another year at Kaulig Racing or Trackhouse takes on a full-time Xfinity Series operation remains to be seen. However, Cup is not fully out of the question for SVG, especially if he improves toward the end of the season, or to make room for the next guy on the list.
Connor Zilisch is not moving up to Cup in 2025, but, his presence still matters. He will be 18 years old in 2025, so, he can race in the NASCAR National Touring Series full-time. This could be what pushes SVG into the Cup Series.
Zilisch has multiple possibilities for 2025. He could race full-time for the Trackhouse-aligned Spire Motorsports, maybe taking over for the struggling Chase Purdy in the No. 77 car. Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series is another potential destination given Trackhouse’s history with the team. Maybe the Xfinity Series Kaulig is an option if SVG moves up into the Cup Series, or, maybe JRM could be a landing spot if they have another opening. All that to say, there are plenty of options for Zilisch, and where he goes largely depends on the drivers ahead of him in the pipeline.
After Daniel Suarez’s win at Atlanta, Justin Marks said this is a “Contract year” for Trackhouse’s original driver. If Trackhouse fails to secure a charter, someone has to be the odd person out. Smith, SVG, and Zilisch are all not going anywhere.
That leaves Suarez, who, aside from his win at Atlanta, has struggled in 2024. Now, it’s still early, and a deep Playoff run is the perfect way to prove to Trackhouse that he should stay. However, given Trackhouse’s aggression in the charter market, they seem keen on keeping Suarez if at all possible.
The future of Stackhouse Racing is an interesting one to speculate on. Who ends up where in this large group of drivers?
It wouldn’t be Daytona without some weird, wacky, and headline-grabbing fallout. From viral Victory Lane moments to renewed debates about driver approval, NASCAR’s biggest race once again delivered more than just on-track drama. And with Michael Jordan celebrating a Daytona 500 win, the spotlight burned brighter than it has in years.
Jordan’s presence mattered. When the most iconic athlete of a generation shows genuine emotion upon winning the Daytona 500, it reminds the wider sports world that this race still matters. That kind of authentic publicity cannot be manufactured. It resonated far beyond the garage. Meanwhile, the O’Reilly Series race added fuel to another ongoing debate. The massive Decker crash, Cleetus McFarland’s Truck debut incident, and past approval inconsistencies have once again raised tough questions. Consistency, transparency, and accountability are now front and center. Add in Austin Hill’s dominance and Ryan Ellis’ career-best sixth-place run to open the season, and Daytona gave fans plenty to talk about on and off the track.
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On May 12, 2000, the NASCAR world arrived at New Hampshire International Speedway expecting another race weekend. Within hours, Adam Petty was gone. His death would become the first domino in an 18-month stretch that forever changed NASCAR’s approach to safety and reshaped the sport at its core.
Adam wasn’t just the grandson of Richard Petty or the son of Kyle Petty; he was a young driver building his own path, fresh off his Cup debut at Texas Motor Speedway and preparing for a future with Dodge and Petty Enterprises. His passing stunned the garage and deeply impacted fans who saw the Petty family as part of their own. From the unanswered mechanical questions to the emotional aftermath that eventually led to the creation of Victory Junction, this is where the Firestorm begins. The fear, the controversy, and the transformation of NASCAR safety all trace back to that Friday in Loudon.
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The O’Reilly series race at Daytona turned into a breaking point. One crash, one late reaction, and suddenly the conversation wasn’t just about race results, it was about standards, accountability, and who truly belongs at this level of NASCAR competition.
The Decker incident reignited long-standing perception issues, especially when outside commentary from figures like Mike Davis amplified the embarrassment factor. At the same time, NASCAR has stepped in before, blocking Wallace, sidelining others like Jennifer Jo Cobb, yet those interventions feel inconsistent. Wright’s pit road mistake added fuel to the argument that funding can outweigh readiness. McFarland, meanwhile, represents a different case, raw but potentially coachable, with time to develop if he chooses that route seriously. Money has always shaped racing careers, but when sponsorship outweighs preparation, the sport risks its credibility. Should NASCAR tighten its standards, or is this simply the cost of doing business in modern motorsports?
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