The largest transfer of NASCAR’s 2027 offseason might have already taken place. Earlier this week, it was introduced that Connor Zilisch could be leaving Trackhouse Racing to affix Hendrick Motorsports on a multi-year deal that begins in 2028.
It is a boon for Zilisch, who stays one of many prime prospects within the Cup Sequence regardless of a rookie yr that has been marred with inconsistency. It is the kind of deal he merely couldn’t flip down.
However the transfer additionally leaves some query marks for Trackhouse, as they are going to be saying goodbye to a particularly well-liked driver and should make some huge selections relating to how you can deal with his departure.
One of many choices that has been floated, by Dale Earnhardt Jr. amongst others, is Trackhouse going again to working simply two automobiles within the Cup Sequence, with Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain protecting their seats, and leasing the crew’s third constitution out to a different crew.
In accordance with Trackhouse proprietor Justin Marks, such a transfer shouldn’t be at present within the playing cards.
“I do not know the place that comes from. I do not actually suppose downsizing for our firm is the precise factor to do,” Marks stated in a latest interview with SiriusXM’s NASCAR radio. “There’s correlation, not causation, to Trackhouse struggling to seek out pace across the similar time we expanded to 3 automobiles. Some individuals may have a look at that and say, ‘Effectively possibly three automobiles was an excessive amount of for them,’ and create their very own story of their head.”
Zilisch leaving will undoubtedly change the mathematics at Trackhouse, however Marks is assured that the crew’s sponsors are taking the lengthy view, and protecting the crew working three automobiles is smart for all concerned events.
“We have now three automobiles’ price of superior sponsors. Chevrolet likes that now we have three automobiles. I like that now we have three automobiles,” Marks stated. “I believe downsizing the crew sends the unsuitable message.”
He continued:
“In the end, this can be a enterprise. On the finish of the day, now we have plenty of sponsors that need to develop with us — they need to increase, they need to renew. I believe that the best way we have set the construction of the enterprise up, it really works nicely as a three-car crew. There’s economies of scale. We have got dedicated sponsors on all three automobiles. We promote a constitution, we have to name sponsors which have all turn out to be pals of ours and say, ‘Sorry there isn’t any room for you right here anymore.’
“This is not an trade the place you set your self ready to name sponsors and say, ‘We do not want your cash.’ It was a really intentional factor to develop to 3 automobiles. It actually occurred rapidly, however I am glad the place we’re at.”
One profit that Trackhouse has right here is the additional runway of subsequent season, the place Zilisch will nonetheless be racing with the crew. Relying on how the 2027 season goes, the funds of 1 aspect or the opposite of the downsizing debate might turn out to be clearly extra useful to the crew’s long-term success. However as issues stand, Marks says he likes working three automobiles, and does not sound like he plans to alter that any time quickly.
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
