Daniel Suárez gives it his all for Trackhouse Racing. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
BROOKLYN, Mich. – It seemed like the odds for a quality NASCAR Cup Series career were against Daniel Suárez in late 2019. After Cole Custer was tabbed to drive the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang ride in 2020, Suárez’s opportunities were limited.
Taking the reins of the No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing Toyota Camry ride in 2020, the Monterey, Mexico native was mired in a fight for relevancy with top 20 to top 25 finishes. He took each race with stride and grace despite the cards he was dealt with during the pandemic laden season.
However, in late 2020, Suárez found a brand new home in Trackhouse Racing, an upstart Chevrolet stock car team kicking off its operations in the 2021 Daytona 500. Much like a hit TV show finding its stride, Suárez and the No. 99 team took a year to find its groove.
Needless to say, the second season of this formidable competition is looking sporty and competitive on a weekly basis. Prior to Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (3 p.m. ET on USA), he reflected on what he’s gained from racing for Justin Marks and Armando Christian “Pitbull” Perez.
“They gave me the opportunity to build a team around me.” – Suárez about racing for Trackhouse Racing. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
“I think that something that Trackhouse has given me that’s special is that they gave me the opportunity to build a team around me,” Suárez observed. “I felt like in the past, I never really had that opportunity.
“And when I had an opportunity to build a team around me, I was able to to be competitive and win races. So I feel like that’s very special and really looking forward to continue to that.”
Sure, pursuing a first career Cup win can be taxing. Needless to say, after Suárez tallied his maiden Cup victory at Sonoma, he’s strengthened his form on the track. Consider his finishes of 15th at Nashville, fifth at Road America, sixth at Atlanta, ninth at Loudon and third at Pocono.
While there was the anomalous 28th place result at Indianapolis, he’s climbed from 17th to 13th in the regular season standings. More importantly, he’s in the Playoffs and in contention for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Although Suárez appreciates his new home and racing for the Chevrolet camp, he understands how he and his peers are looking after themselves.
“I haven’t talked to them,” he said. “Have I been invited to any meetings? I think it’s every guy from their own. I mean, it’s still one month away for us for the Playoffs. We may have this conversation, but we haven’t had this conversation yet.”
Still, Suárez appreciates the camaraderie with Chevrolet and Trackhouse Racing. He would not go as far as calling his peers as extended family, but he is always ready to go to battle on the track for the women and men at his team’s campus.
It’s every driver and team for themselves. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
“Yeah, I think that everyone takes care of each other very well,” he shared. “Everyone has a very, very good chemistry. Everyone’s happy doing what we’re doing. A lot of people think that we’re like family. Family is a big word, you know? A lot of people that go along with our family is this and that. But in reality, I don’t know.
“I think that instead of calling us family, I wouldn’t call it a family, but I will call it, you know, being happy with each other, hanging out together. You know, being excited to work together and excited to be pushing in the same direction and having amazing friendships. And I think that this is what it is all about.”
The 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion knows all about the hard work and ambition needed to battle for wins and titles. All told, he takes each race, season and opportunity with his usual classy demeanor and approach.
Aside from gearing up for a Playoff run, there’s always the thought of a prospective racecar exhibition swap like with Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2003 and Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton in 2011.
In this case, Suárez would be open to such a swap with 2021 Formula 1 champion, Max Verstappen. Altogether, it’s not a question of if but when the swap may happen if the chance is there.
One can imagine Suárez and Verstappen, the ride swap, when a chance may preside. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
“That’d be awesome. Hopefully, one day,” he said. “At this point, you know, Max is busy trying to fight for a championship and I’m doing the same thing here. So maybe in the near future.”
Editor’s Notes
Jasmine Sharpe contributed to this feature directly on-site from Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.
