Trackhouse Racing‘s 2023 season so far has been a tumultuous ordeal. Though their star racing driver, Ross Chastain was able to capture the community’s imagination and quench their insatiable thirst for drama with his on-track antics and aggressive racing style, lately the scene has become grim for the team.

Despite his earlier rivalries and his polarizing persona, the #1 driver has claimed a much-needed win at Nashville. However, his fellow teammate is certainly not having the best year as we anticipated.

Making the Cup Series playoffs a consecutive second time is huge for the #99 driver, but a win has eluded the driver and moreover, his underwhelming performances and fans’ expectations have borne their weight on him, putting him in dire straits.

It’s make-it or break-it for Ross Chastain’s teammate, Daniel Suarez

Unlike last season, 2023 has been a shaky affair for Trackhouse Racing’s road racing sensation, Daniel Suarez. Though, the driver has racked up 6 top-10, and 2 top-5 finishes this season. Compared to his breakout performance at Sonoma Raceway last year where he became the first-ever Mexican-born driver in NASCAR to ace the 12-turn hilly race track, this season so far has been nothing but a bad dream for the Chevy speedster.

Bad luck along with a few underwhelming performances has made his situation precarious and adding fuel to the fire is his teammate, Ross Chastain’s win at Nashville. While Chastain has secured his playoff berth, this performance has put the #99 driver in the spotlight with all eyes on him, closely eyeing his moves.

Currently ranked 19th, just outside the top 16, he needs to pick up a win to keep his playoff hopes alive. As we head to Michigan Speedway this week, the focus has once again shifted to Suarez.

Speaking on Motor Mouths, NBC pit reporter, Parker Kligerman opened up about the driver feeling the most pressure right now. “First and foremost, it has got to be Daniel Suarez, got to be feeling the pressure to be making the playoffs as your teammate is in there. Ross Chastain staying in their win but for Daniel (Suarez) it just seems like they can’t seem to get over the hump,” said Kligerman. 

Reflecting on his unfortunate crash at Pocono Raceway a few weeks ago, he further added, “They’ve been close at times to being in there on point, and then something happens like happened at Pocono, I just feel like for that race team, they are definitely feeling the pressure the expectation for Daniel Suarez, that #99 team is to be in the playoffs so they’ve got to fill in.” 

READ MORE: NASCAR Community Left Heartbroken as Daniel Suarez’s “Lucky Charm” Tragically Passes Away

All is not lost: With 2 road courses left, the road racing phenom still has the chance

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While we head to the Speedway action at Michigan this week, the #99 Trackhouse Racing sensation, Daniel Suarez is still eyeing his much-needed win to cement his playoff berth. Unfortunately, for the driver, bad luck and a series of underwhelming performances have taken him back, to the 19th position in the rankings.

But, while things may look shaky, Suarez still has the chance to make it into the playoffs. Upcoming road races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen, and Daytona are opportunities for Suárez to secure his playoff spot. Though the driver is not out of danger yet, the driver is optimistic as we head to Michigan where he held a 33-lap lead last year despite the late-race incident.

WATCH THIS STORY: Joe Gibbs Racing member justifies Martin Truex Jr’s fiery outburst 

So, as a popular saying goes, it ain’t till it’s over. The road racing specialist will certainly try to make the most out of the 2 road courses and most likely blast his way into the playoffs just like last year.