Trackhouse Racing and Justin Marks are in a tricky spot when it comes to handing Cup Series rides to their roster of signed drivers. Unlike the traditional setup, Marks likes to keep his options open and is always on the hunt for new talents. In the past two years or so, he has added the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, and Zane Smith to the team’s stable.

The team can only field two drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Currently, Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez are in charge of the team. But given the rise of SVG and Connor Zilisch, perhaps the team is preparing for a change of guard in the coming year or two. However, Chastain sees himself piloting the No. 1 car for a long time; he even sends out a clear-cut message to the young drivers who are looking to climb ranks in the team.

Chastain is in for a long haul at Trackhouse Racing

Justin Marks is an ambitious team owner with his eyes set on making a mark in the NASCAR Cup Series. His team is in the nascent stage, having entered the stock car racing scene in 2021, but has quickly risen in stature. Ross Chastain has been the flag bearer for the team in scripting early success, which started right from his first year in 2021.

The Alva Florida native made the playoffs in some style with the hail mary move in the Martinsville race back in 2021. This result ensured he made the championship race and ended the season second in points. Since then, he has gone on to add two more Cup Series wins to his name, making it a total of four. But 2024 has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Although Suarez signed a new deal with the team, it only keeps him in the 99 car until 2025. This move by THR was perhaps a hint about the new changes they are going to make to their lineup. However, Chastain doesn’t fancy vacating his seat to aid upcoming talents. “Any driver under the Trackhouse umbrella, as they all look and going through their careers, do not look at the 1 car; it’s locked up for a long time,” he said in an interview.

It is important to note that Ross Chastain signed a multi-year contract extension last year in February. While he might be optimistic about his prolonged stay at Trackhouse Racing, he doesn’t have a clue about the team’s expansion plans. “I don’t believe for a minute that I understand what’s going through Justin Marks’ mind. So five years ago, he never thought a Cup team was in his future, and here we are continuing for race wins and playoffs. And whatever’s next, I’m here for the ride.”

However, there’s a solution to this lack of Cup opportunities for the upcoming THR talents. But the question is, are the higher-ups at Trackhouse Racing willing to spend the big bucks?

Trackhouse Racing could add a third charter soon

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Justin Marks and Co. have contemplated the idea of adding a third charter to their team. With a three-car setup, the team will be able to run two prominent senior drivers and make use of the third car to aid the rise of their talented driver lineup. With Stewart Haas Racing closing down at the end of the 2024 season, there are multiple charters on the market. Four, to be precise, but the team is yet to make its move and investment to fuel its expansion plans.

Only two of the four charters are now available for purchase. Front Row Motorsports bagged a charter for themselves for $20–25 million. Meanwhile, Gene Haas retained a charter to kickstart his new venture, the Haas Factory Team, a single-car Cup Series entry for 2025. So if Trackhouse Racing wants to expand, they are likely to spend $25 million or so on the purchase of a charter. This price could shoot up if the Cup Series teams and NASCAR sign a new charter agreement.

Going by Justin Marks’ track record and his spending spree, the addition of a third charter at THR isn’t out of bounds.