Daniel Suarez received difficult news last week as Trackhouse Racing announced they will not renew his contract beyond the current season, leaving him to seek a new team for 2026. This development marks a significant turning point for Suarez, who has been an integral part of Trackhouse Racing for several years. Erik Jones, who has faced similar career challenges, recently shared his perspective on Suarez’s situation during an interview on Door, Bumper, Clear.

Erik Jones Reflects on His Own Career Shift

Erik Jones, 29, recounted his experience moving from Joe Gibbs Racing, where he drove from 2018 to 2020, to Richard Petty Motorsports. He acknowledged how difficult it was to leave a familiar environment and adjust to a new team.

“It’s tough. For me, at the time, I wasn’t excited that I got fired.”

Jones explained that despite the initial disappointment, transitioning allowed him to experience a different atmosphere and learn valuable lessons, especially from working with a team that operated with fewer resources.

“I was looking forward to just seeing what was out there. I had been in that one group for a long time. So, it was interesting to see and work with a different group. And it helped me a lot, honestly — just going and doing something completely different. Working with a group that didn’t have all the resources. I learned a lot through everything.”

Challenges Facing Suarez After Long Tenure with Trackhouse

Jones noted that Suarez’s position might be even more challenging, considering the length of his tenure with Trackhouse Racing. The driver has been embedded in a well-established organization, making a fresh start potentially more complicated. However, Jones also suggested that remaining with Trackhouse may no longer be the best path forward for Suarez.

Jones elaborated on the competitive landscape within the team, pointing to teammate Ross Chastain’s relative success compared to Suarez’s struggles. He questioned Suarez’s future in the Cup Series given the limited available spots.

“Ross [Chastain] has had some success. Daniel hasn’t quite been able to have that same level. And I don’t think that’s all on him. So, does he have a spot in Cup? I don’t know. Does he deserve it? Probably. But I don’t know if there’s space.”

Trackhouse’s Strategy and Suarez’s Options Moving Forward

The timing of Trackhouse Racing’s midseason announcement came from team owner Justin Marks, who aimed to allow Suarez enough time to secure another opportunity, motivated by their friendship. This approach reflects an awareness of the complexities Suarez faces as he navigates the next phase of his career.

Jones outlined two potential paths for Suarez in the latter half of his career: either remain in the Cup Series with a mid-level team or step down to the Xfinity Series, where he might find more racing success. Using Justin Allgaier’s career as an example, Jones suggested that winning races in Xfinity could be a positive and respectable alternative to struggling in the Cup Series.

“I think he just internally has to decide what he wants to do,”

Jones said.

“Do you want to grind it out in Cup? Yeah, you’re going to make more money, right? Even running 20th every week. Do you want to do that and tough it out for the next however many years it happens or do you want to go win races?”

The Decision Ahead for Daniel Suarez

Returning to the Xfinity Series remains an option for Suarez, though he has already spent time there earlier in his career and may be reluctant to revisit that level. Ultimately, the choice of his next move lies with Suarez, as he weighs the benefits of remaining in the Cup Series or seeking success elsewhere. This juncture could define not only Suarez’s career trajectory but also how NASCAR’s driver landscape evolves in the coming years.