Daniel Suárez is entering the NASCAR free agency period with his future in the Cup Series unclear, following Trackhouse Racing’s announcement earlier this summer that he will not return as the driver of the No. 99 car next season. Once a playoff competitor just a year ago, Suárez now confronts limited options as he seeks to stay in the premier series amid a competitive driver market.
Spire Motorsports Evaluates Potential Driver Change
Spire Motorsports currently has its own driver, Justin Haley, under scrutiny for the 2026 season. While there has been no official decision, insider Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic suggested that if Spire chooses to part ways with Haley, Daniel Suárez could be a strong candidate for the vacant No. 7 seat.
“One potential option is if Spire elects to move on from Haley. Signing Suárez would give Spire a veteran who has won multiple races and would be highly motivated to prove he deserves to remain in Cup.” —Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic
Suárez’s NASCAR Cup Series performance this year includes 363 points, three top-10 finishes, one top-five, six DNFs, 30 laps led, and an average starting position of 23.826 with an average finish of 22.0.
Comparing Suárez and Haley’s Performance and Situations
Despite the speculation, Spire is uncertain whether Suárez would be an improvement over Haley in the No. 7 car. Haley’s statistics show a slightly better finishing average (21.304) and fewer DNFs (one) than Suárez, though Suárez has a race win from last season’s Ambetter Health 400 and more top-20 finishes this year. Bianchi notes that even if a seat is offered, Suárez would likely want a multi-year contract, while Spire might prefer to keep its options open to evaluate a larger pool of free agents after 2026.
Possible Xfinity Series Opportunity as an Alternative
Industry observers largely agree that Suárez’s most viable path forward may be a return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. JR Motorsports, which recently lost Connor Zilisch to the Cup Series, could offer Suárez a top-tier ride. Suárez previously demonstrated his competitiveness there by winning The Chilango 150 in Mexico City this past June. A strong season in Xfinity could position him well for a better Cup opportunity the following year.
Suárez’s Desire to Remain in Cup Despite Challenges
Now approaching his 34th birthday in January, Suárez has expressed a clear preference to continue racing in the Cup Series, where the earnings and exposure are significantly greater. However, with few available seats for the upcoming season and hard decisions yet to be made, he may have little choice but to consider stepping down to the Xfinity Series as a strategic move for future advancement.
