Jimmie Johnson addresses likelihood of Daniel Suárez driving for Legacy after Trackhouse split

Daniel Suárez needs a new home for the 2026 NASCAR season after his split from Trackhouse Racing. Jimmie Johnson said Wednesday that Legacy Motor Club is looking for a third Cup Series charter next season.

While Johnson called Suárez a “great friend” and a “great talent,” he said the timing likely won’t work out for Legacy to give him a serious look, per Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com. Johnson, the seven-time champion, added he is confident Suárez will land a Cup ride in 2026.

Right now, a third Legacy charter is up in the air. Rick Ware Racing agreed to sell a charter to the two-car race team co-owned by Johnson. Legacy, however, filed a lawsuit against RWR on April 1, claiming that RWR was attempting to back out of the contract agreed to on March 3. Legacy says the deal is for the 2026 season. RWR claims the sale goes into effect for 2027.

As for Suárez, it’s hard to predict where he could land for next season. Nothing is expected to change with the big three of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske. The same goes for Richard Childress Racing, RFK Racing, Spire Motorsports and Kaulig Racing. The drivers at Haas Factory Team (Cole Custer) and RWR (Cody Ware) have family ties to team management. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are currently competing as open teams.

Daniel Suárez struggling to stand out amid uncertain future

Still, Suárez is a veteran of the series and has proven to be capable of making the playoffs. This season, however, hasn’t gone to plan. Suárez is 29th in the points standings, with just three top 10s and one top five in 21 starts.

The expectation is that Xfinity Series star and 19-year-old sensation Connor Zilisch will replace Suárez at Trackhouse next season. Suárez opened up candidly about what led to his departure from Trackhouse.

“Since my new crew chief [Matt Swiderski] came to Trackhouse, he told me a lot of things that he didn’t think were right within the organization and a lot of things that needed to be changed,” Suárez said earlier this month. “I’ve been very vocal with the team on we need to address this, we need to address that, and I’m not the only one seeing it. There are more people seeing it.

“I don’t think that’s the only reason. I think there are more things. Just think that lately, there have been things that have made me feel that I’m not as important.”