© Nigel Cook/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Perhaps no team has been as big a surprise in the NASCAR garage in recent years than startup Trackhouse Racing. The team began operations in the 2022 season with ownership from former driver Justin Marks and superstar musician Pitbull.
The team’s debut season was an almost unimaginable success. Driver Ross Chastain won the first two races of his career and finished second in the championship, highlighted by his iconic “Hail Melon” move at Martinsville to reach the final four. While the two seasons after weren’t quite as strong, Trackhouse won races in both years and established itself as a genuine threat to win races each week.
But without any warning, Pitbull made the surprise announcement on Friday, two days before the 2025 Daytona 500, that he had parted ways with the team.
“Ending partnership with Trackhouse Racing. Over the past five years, we’ve made history by introducing NASCAR to a whole new audience and falling in love with NASCAR fans at the same time,” he said in an Instagram post announcing the move. “We have made the decision to terminate the partnership with Trackhouse Racing, effective immediately. We’re looking forward to performing on the sport’s biggest stage this Sunday, the Daytona 500. It is a true honor, Dale!”
Interestingly enough, he did not explain what the reason was for the departure. He also made it clear that his exit would take place immediately.
“We’re honored and humbled that @pitbull has chosen to take this journey with Trackhouse,” a Trackhouse representative said on social media. “Thank you for all you’ve done and good luck on your next venture!”
And it’s not like he was a passive owner, either. Pitbull was at the track with the team several times over the last few years. He was also at the race shop with the team to celebrate after driver Daniel Suarez’s first career victory. More information is sure to come out about the split. But it sure seems as if something unexpected happened.