When Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Justin Marks spot talent, the motorsport world sits up and takes notice. Their latest find, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, has been turning heads and lighting up conversations in NASCAR circles. From an electric rookie run in the Xfinity Series to a Cup Series debut penciled in for 2025, Zilisch’s rapid rise has everyone talking—and a few wondering if Daniel Suárez’s seat at Trackhouse Racing might be at risk.

Zilisch’s story is one for the books. A Weddington, North Carolina kid, he first broke through in karting, grabbing the FIA Academy Trophy at just 11—the first American to do so. From there, it’s been a whirlwind: five ARCA Menards Series wins, a CARS Tour victory, a Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona win, and an unforgettable Xfinity debut victory at Watkins Glen in 2024. His knack for learning fast and excelling even faster hasn’t gone unnoticed. “His rate of adaptability is what stands out,” says Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks.

With a full-time Xfinity campaign at JR Motorsports lined up and plans to drive Trackhouse’s No. 91 Corvette in endurance racing, Zilisch’s career is already humming. But it’s the inevitable leap to a full-time Cup seat that has fans in a frenzy, speculating about which driver might have to step aside. With Suárez and Ross Chastain firmly in Trackhouse’s two main cars, it’s a question of when—not if—this rising star slots into the lineup.

Fan speculation: Are Daniel Suárez’s days numbered?

The chatter among fans is unmistakable: a lot of folks think Daniel Suárez’s time in the No. 99 Chevrolet could be winding down. Especially considering the announcement that Connor Zilisch will be making his Cup series debut at COTA this year while still running a full Xfinity series campaign. Coupled with the fact that Suárez is only on a single-year contract, this could open the door for Trackhouse to get Zilisch in the car as soon as possible.

And while Suárez had a solid 2024 season, snagging a nail-biter win at Atlanta Motor Speedway and finishing 12th in the standings, some fans aren’t convinced he’s safe. “Yeah, writing on the wall here,” one fan commented. Another boldly predicted, “Suárez for sure going to Kaulig in 2026 replacing Ty Dillon.” For many, it feels like Zilisch is being groomed to take over—and sooner rather than later.

To be fair, Daniel Suárez had his moments in 2024. That Atlanta win wasn’t just thrilling; it was one of the closest finishes in Cup Series history. His nine top-10 finishes were also quite impressive. But consistency has been teammate Chastain’s calling card, with 14 top-10s throughout the season, even if he ended up 19th in the standings compared to Suárez’s 12th. It’s a contrast that’s fueled debates about who’s truly indispensable to Trackhouse’s long-term plans.

Some fans couldn’t help but joke about a possible demotion similar to the ones seen in Formula 1 (especially in the Red Bull camp) “Time to learn Chinese, Suarez” said one fan, facetiously alluding to him having to find a drive in lower tier regional series, while another was utterly convinced that his time at Trackhouse is over after 2025, “Suarez is gone after this season.”

Not everyone is sold on fast-tracking Zilisch to the Cup level, though. “Rushing him too fast… seen this before, does not turn out well,” one cautious fan pointed out. There’s always a risk when you put young talent under the brightest lights too quickly. But with Zilisch’s potential being as glaring as it is, it’s hard to imagine Trackhouse holding him back for long.

It’s a tricky spot for Trackhouse Racing. On one side, you’ve got Daniel Suárez, a foundational piece of the team since day one and a driver whose journey resonates with fans as NASCAR’s first foreign-born national series champion across all three series. On the other, there’s Connor Zilisch, a once-in-a-generation talent who could cement Trackhouse as a powerhouse for years to come.

Team owner Justin Marks hasn’t shied away from tough calls in the past. While he’s praised Suárez’s contributions, his focus has always been on the bigger picture. “We’re in the business of winning and building for the future,” Marks has said more than once—a sentiment that could hint at difficult decisions ahead.

For now, Suárez seems locked in on delivering results. His second Cup Series win in 2024 and consistent performances throughout the year show he’s still got plenty of fight left. But with Zilisch’s star rising so fast, the pressure is on for Suárez to prove he’s indispensable in 2025.