Coming into the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Daniel Saurez was presumed to be in the hot seat in the No. 99 Chevrolet. But adding to the misery was for the Mexican-American driver to prolong his stay at Trackhouse Racing, Shane van Gisbergen’s rise in the Xfinity Series. However, all of the rumors and speculation surrounding his future with the team were put to bed.

Thanks to Trackhouse Racing, they announced that Suarez had signed a contract extension and would continue to lead the charge for the #99 team in 2025. Although there is an internal sponsorship swap, Freeway Insurance would serve as his primary sponsor and would feature on marquee races like the Daytona 500 and the All-Star Race.

But Daniel Suarez still highlights some key areas for the team to work on

Having missed the playoffs in 2023 and his winless streak inching closer to the 50-race mark, Suarez was indeed in deep waters. While it looked like the driver wasn’t capable of delivering the goods, there was a big problem brewing underneath the surface at Trackhouse. And it was a lack of speed and performance in 2024.

Only highlight for the team this season? Daniel Suarez clinching the photo finish win at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This might have helped him secure his future with the team for next year. But, going by his word, the contract extension was all but done, with only a few details that needed attention.

“It was just a matter of working the details. But I was never really worried about it. My biggest worry in the last four months, it hasn’t been the contract, I promise you; it’s been the performance. That’s for me; that’s the main thing you know. If you perform, everything takes care by itself,” Daniel Suarez said via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Further highlighting the major issues the entire team is facing this season, he said, “This year, from the last three years, this year is been a little bit of a struggle. It’s not a secret, you guys know the numbers, and we got work to do. Like I said, we’re not happy where we are at but we are happy where we are heading.”

Ross Chastain, driving the No. 1 Chevy, is arguably the better prospect of the two drivers at Trackhouse Racing. But the slump in terms of performance and lack of speed on the track has put his playoff chances in limbo. In 22 races so far this season, the melon man has only managed to register two top-5 finishes. As a result, he now sits right on the bubble with Bubba Wallace breathing down his neck.

The same has been the case for Daniel Suarez and the #99 team. He has notched only four top-10 runs in 2024, including his win early in the season. But with four regular-season races left and playoffs run in sight, the driver is optimistic about his team’s chances going forward.

Where does Trackhouse Racing go from here?

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The primary objective for the team right now will be to get Ross Chastain across the finish line in terms of making it to the playoffs. As easy as it might sound, it is going to be an uphill task given how fierce the competition is. Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 does have the speed, and that’s the case with Chris Buescher too. The melon man right now is sandwiched between the two, and the battle could go down to the wire at the Daytona and Darlington races.

Meanwhile, Daniel Suarez will be hoping to string together a solid run of consecutive results. Something he hasn’t been able to accomplish this year. Both drivers will look to script a redemption story with the first race after the Olympic break at the Richmond Raceway. Going by the qualification results, it looks like they are hit to hit the markers, as both of them will start tomorrow’s race in row 11 outside of the top 20 positions.

A lot can change during tomorrow’s race, and it will be interesting to see how well Suarez and Chastain adjust to the option tire strategy.