Daniel Suarez has been officially on the job market for nearly a month now, and speculation is at a fever pitch about where the Cup Series’ only Mexico-born driver will land for the 2026 NASCAR season.
Suarez, who will complete the 2025 season with Trackhouse Racing, has competed for the organization since 2021, picking up his first and second career NASCAR Cup Series wins along the way.
This year has been a struggle, however, leading Trackhouse to announce around the season’s midway point that Suarez would not return in 2026. Thankfully for Suarez, he still has some time to figure out his plans for next year.
In the meantime, though, many throughout the NASCAR world are wondering about the team — and NASCAR series — where he will end up.
Is Legacy Motor Club, the organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, a potential destination for Suarez? Johnson answered this question on Wednesday.
Jimmie Johnson Discusses Daniel Suarez’s Candidacy For A Ride With Legacy Motor Club
Legacy Motor Club currently fields two full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries. One is the No. 43 Toyota driven by Erik Jones. The other is the No. 42 Toyota wheeled by John Hunter Nemechek.
Jimmie Johnson has made two starts this season in a No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, but his on-track appearances are very rare these days. If the organization ever adds a third full-time team, Daniel Suarez might be a candidate for the ride.
But, according to Johnson, it’s probably going to be a while before that happens. Therefore, Suarez will likely want to have an opportunity lined up for 2026 well before Legacy Motor Club is ready to expand.
“I would love to think about him seriously, but I don’t have a seat — on top of the fact I’m not sure if and when we’ll get a seat as we’re trying to acquire our third charter,” Johnson said on a Wednesday Zoom call where he helped NASCAR promote its announcement of a race coming to San Diego in 2026.
“I would look hard at him if we were prepared and ready and moving in that direction. In this instance, I highly doubt timing is going to work out. I think he’s a great talent and should have plenty of options.”
Jimmie Johnson Heaps Praise On Daniel Suarez, Despite Having No Room For Him
Although Daniel Suarez joining Legacy Motor Club for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season seems to be a longshot at best, Jimmie Johnson has nothing but kind words for the driver who made history by becoming the Cup Series’ first race winner from Mexico.
“Daniel is a great friend and somebody I stay in touch with,” Johnson said. “I kind of knew his situation (for 2026) from a friend standpoint for a while. Great talent. Very popular. Can really perform on any track, has great sponsorship interest. A well-rounded modern-day NASCAR athlete.”
Johnson predicts that Suarez will have his next assignment nailed down in plenty of time for the 2026 season. So, if Suarez is sidelined even temporarily, Johnson will be surprised.
“I don’t think Daniel is going to be out,” he said. “It’s never fun to be looking for a job, but it is early in the process. I think there’s going to be a lot of movement as there is most years, and I think he’ll have some strong options to consider.
“I don’t think he’s out of a Cup car. He’s a recent race-winning Cup driver. There’s always going to be room for someone like that, on top of his sponsor appeal and international appeal. I’m confident he’ll find a very solid ride to compete in.”
