Remember when Subway discontinued their sponsorship with Daniel Suarez and Joe Gibbs Racing for the Cup Series “due to circumstances beyond [their] control.” This was 2017, after Suarez handed out some Dunkin’ Donuts to fans at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. And a repercussion of that?

Subway ended their relationship with Coach Gibbs and the team only as Suarez was seen on-air with a competitor’s product [Dunkin’ Donuts]. But this time, as he’s with Trackhouse Racing driving the No. 99, he didn’t lose a sponsor because of on-air violations but instead saw some internal shifts in primary sponsors!

Good news for Daniel Suarez fans! Amid speculations of delays in the renewal of his contract, he has finally signed a new one with Trackhouse Racing for the 2025 season. However, Quaker State, with a market cap of $2.88 billion, which is a trusted name in the moto oil and lubricants, which has been a significant partner for Suarez, will no longer be the primary sponsor for the #99.

According to FOX News’s Bob Pockrass, along with his renewal of contract, Freeway Insurance will serve as Suarez’s primary sponsor for a large part of the season. The team co-owned by Justin Marks and Pitbull has retained its star. Marks, seemingly excited in his statement, said, “Everyone at Trackhouse Racing is pleased to continue the relationship with Daniel and Freeway Insurance, Daniel has been vital to this team and its culture since the first day. Freeway joined that same year and we have all continued to grow together and will continue into 2025.”

As Justin Marks mentioned, Freeway Insurance and Daniel Suarez have a special connection. Firstly, they were his primary sponsor in his very first season with the Trackhouse team back in 2021. Also in the race in Atlanta, where he has almost sealed the deal for his playoff season this year, Freeway was his primary sponsor.

Further, Bob Pockrass also confirmed, “Suarez signed an extension with Trackhouse for the 2025 season. Freeway will be the primary sponsor of the No. 99 Cup car for one-third of the races, including the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR All-Star race.”

The contract extension for Daniel Suarez has come at a crucial time, as rumors had started of him being on the hot seat. Some even speculated that Shane van Gisbergen, who is currently riding part-time for the team, might come in as a full-time Cup series driver.

However, the air is clear. According to Suarez, Trackhouse is like a home to him. In his statement after the renewal, he said, “I have enjoyed every minute I have been here (Trackhouse Racing). We plan to keep working, growing and winning more races. We can only do that with the support of my Amigos and Amigas at Freeway Insurance. They have backed me for the last several years and we have grown close with their customers and employees.” 

The team has, however, only extended the contract till 2025. However, let’s not dwell that much into the future, as currently the goal for the team is to solidify their position in the playoffs as only four races remain of the regular season. Ross Chastain is struggling this season.

What are Trackhouse Racing’s playoff chances?

Until now, Daniel Suarez, driving the #99 car has had a mixed season with one win at Atlanta and only two top-five and four top-ten finishes. On the other hand, his teammate, Ross Chastain in the #1 car, is winless so far with a less impressive record of seven top-tens and two top-fives.

It’s worth noting that Chastain secured two victories in the previous season and also made Championship 4 in his first season with Trackhouse Racing in 2022. However, he’s struggled to find a footing in this one.

Currently, Daniel Suarez sits in 17th position in points, and Chastain is in 13th as he has more points than the #99 driver. After the conclusion of the final four races of the regular season, if everything remains as it is now in the table, both drivers for the Trackhouse team will compete in the playoffs.

NASCAR season will resume at the Richmond Raceway. It’s uncertain if Chastain will secure a win and solidify his playoff chances. However, what is interesting is his new Jockey car, which he’ll drive in the Richmond race.