The Daytona 500 is back, and this year, it’s not just about the usual suspects battling it out for the win. Enter Trackhouse Racing, a team that has built a reputation for shaking up NASCAR’s traditional mold, and in 2025, they’re taking it to a whole new level.
With an unprecedented four-nation lineup, Trackhouse is bringing global flavor to the Great American Race like never before. Daniel Suárez (Mexico), Ross Chastain (USA), Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand), and Hélio Castroneves (Brazil)—four drivers, four nations, one mission.
As team owner Justin Marks put it in a bold social media post just hours before the race:
“Today we make NASCAR history!”
And that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Trackhouse Racing’s Meteoric Rise—A Blueprint for NASCAR’s Future
Founded in 2021 by former driver Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing has been a breath of fresh air in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Suárez was their first full-time driver, and in 2022, he made history by becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup race.
- Ross Chastain became a breakout star, stunning the field with his aggressive racing and a legendary “Hail Melon” move at Martinsville that catapulted him into the championship fight.
- They launched Project 91, a revolutionary effort to bring international superstars into NASCAR, leading to this year’s full-time debut of New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen.
- They’re the first and only team to use NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional rule, allowing four-time Indy 500 champion Hélio Castroneves to take the grid at Daytona.
This isn’t just about racing. It’s about changing NASCAR’s culture.
“Four nations. Four drivers. One team. It’s the Daytona 500.”
The Dark Horse Team That Could Steal the Daytona 500
While Trackhouse has made a name for itself as a disruptor, now they’re legitimate contenders.
- Daniel Suárez—A road-course ace who’s proven he can win big. If he can navigate the chaos, he could be in the mix at the end.
- Ross Chastain—The wild card of the group. He knows how to push the limits and will do whatever it takes to win.
- Shane van Gisbergen—NASCAR’s newest full-time international star. A road-racing master, but how will he handle the draft at Daytona?
- Hélio Castroneves—A four-time Indy 500 winner who thrives on superspeedways. This is his NASCAR debut at Daytona—but could experience in open-wheel help him survive?
This team isn’t just here to make history—they’re here to win.
And if anyone thinks Trackhouse is just a novelty act, they better think again.
The Daytona 500 Just Got a Lot More Interesting
The Daytona 500 is unpredictable, and while the usual powerhouses like Hendrick, Gibbs, and Penske will be in the mix, don’t sleep on Trackhouse Racing.
Their multi-national lineup is breaking barriers, and with big talent behind the wheel, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a Trackhouse driver celebrating in Victory Lane by the end of the night.
So, who’s going to pull off the upset?
Could it be Suárez, Chastain, SVG, or maybe even Castroneves in his Daytona 500 debut?
One thing is certain—Trackhouse Racing has already won the battle for attention. Now, can they win the biggest race of them all?
