Ross Chastain, the No. 1 Chevy driver for Trackhouse Racing, features prominently as the team experiences significant transitions, including new driver and crew chief additions and changes in ownership following Pitbull’s departure. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup champion, recently expressed confidence in Chastain’s talent during an episode of his Happy Hour podcast, emphasizing that Chastain possesses everything necessary to claim victories regularly in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Harvick stressed the expectation that Chastain should be winning consistently, pointing to his strong work ethic and natural skill as key factors that stand out personally for the Florida-born driver.
“The dynamic — you expect Ross Chastain to win, right? He’s got to win. He has the work ethic. Has the talent. He has everything he needs personally.”
Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.
The veteran competitor suggested that the principal obstacle to Chastain’s success is Trackhouse Racing’s current inability to provide cars that are fast enough, implying that with improved equipment, Chastain could be securing multiple wins each season.
“If Ross Chastain isn’t winning races, your cars aren’t fast enough. He should be winning multiple races every year. And if you’re not winning races, your cars are not fast enough.”
Kevin Harvick added.
Major Shifts and New Faces at Trackhouse Racing
Kevin Harvick also discussed the ongoing changes within Trackhouse Racing that are shaping the team’s future outlook. These adjustments include the addition of two new crew chiefs and the upcoming debut of rookie driver Connor Zilisch, who is set to start competing in 2026. Such moves are expected to alter the team’s internal dynamics and performance capabilities.
“I think there’s a lot of questions. They’ve made a number of changes within their organization. Got two new crew chiefs. They’ve got a new driver with Connor Zilisch coming in.”
Kevin Harvick said.
Another key player is Shane van Gisbergen, who will enter his second season in 2026. Known for his dominance on road courses, the New Zealand driver has recently shown remarkable progress on oval tracks. His performance improvements, including strong runs in the Clash and top-10 finishes on mile-and-a-half tracks, represent a significant advantage for Trackhouse.
“He’s obviously changed the game on road courses. But he’s gotten a lot better on the ovals. We saw him run great at the Clash last year, and we started to see top-10 runs on mile-and-a-halfs.”
Kevin Harvick added.
Emerging Competition and Team Strategy on Road Courses
The combination of van Gisbergen’s expertise and Zilisch’s rookie potential is expected to create new challenges and opportunities for Trackhouse on road courses. Zilisch’s ability to hold his own on ovals strengthens the team’s competitive position, and this new dynamic could lead to a strategic division of races between the two drivers.
“The interesting dynamic to me is on the road courses. How does Connor adapt? Is there a possibility they split those races up with their dominance? Connor’s got a whole new world in front of him.”
Kevin Harvick asserted.
With these developments, the 2026 season represents the start of a promising new chapter for Trackhouse Racing. The team boasts three highly skilled drivers, highlighting the need for strong crew support to ensure optimal car performance. Ross Chastain’s role as the team’s leading contender for the championship will likely become a central focus as Trackhouse aims to capitalize on its growing talent pool and organizational resources.
