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Daniel Suárez Tallies “Decent” Top Five at Watkins Glen

Daniel Suárez showcased some pace and power at Watkins Glen. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)

Daniel Suárez showcased some pace and power at Watkins Glen. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – On the surface, Daniel Suárez earned another respectable top five finish at Watkins Glen, an expected result for the 30-year-old Monterrey, Mexico native.

However, like the rest of his comrades in Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, it was no ordinary race at the 2.45-mile road course. Indeed, it was a race that featured plentiful weather that would enthuse Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel.

Starting ninth in a rare single file, green flag start, the driver of the No, 99 Princess Cruises Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 had a roaring Stage 1.

Much like a sea cruise by Princess, it was a sensational start with a third place result.

While Stage 2 was a bit pedestrian with a 15th place finish, Suárez, crew chief Travis Mack and the Trackhouse Racing team made some noise in the final laps.

Before the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion rocketed his way up the leaderboard, he hoped to battle his Project 91 teammate, Kim Räikkönen. Despite his high hopes for such a riveting scenario, Räikkönen’s afternoon was cut short just before halfway due to an accident around “The Bus Stop.”

As Formula 1 fans around the world watched one of their former icons dabble in NASCAR, Suárez expressed hope for another chance to race “The Iceman.”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to race with him,” Suárez said. “I knew that at one point or another, we were gonna cross paths, but, you know, unfortunately his race ended early. But you know, I’m sure he had a blast. He’s very competitive. And I hope that he comes to a few more races next year.”

While Räikkönen’s afternoon ended prematurely, Suárez carried the torch for his team. Avoiding some of the late race shenanigans, the Sonoma race winner climbed inside the top five in the final laps.

This was no Princess Cruise for Suárez, but he entertained fans with his performance. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)

This was no Princess Cruise for Suárez, but he entertained fans with his performance. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)

During the race’s final restart on Lap 86, Suárez capitalized when Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott duked it out for the lead in Turn 1. Needless to say, like the late Aryton Senna, Suárez saw an opportunity to gain positions and ran with it.

In this case, Suárez wound up placing fifth, his third top five result in the past four road course races.

Ever so competitive, Suárez was content with his day but looked toward maximizing his afternoons, particularly with the fast cars at the shop.

“I feel like we did a decent job. There’s a few things that we still have to clean up,” he observed. “But overall, it was a decent showing. I always feel confident with our road course stuff. So we just have to keep building.

“I felt like today was a good day but it wasn’t a great day, so we’ll still have a few things to clean up.”

Generally speaking, Suárez and his No. 99 team are not facing any kind of sophomore slump. If anything, their stock is rising as a formidable Cup contender.

With one road course race in this year’s Playoffs schedule, Suárez was asked about the wet to dry transition on the track. Such a possibility may happen with this year’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte.

Needless to say, he enjoyed the changing conditions on the track.

“I loved it when it went to (the) slick (conditions). But it was fun. It was a fun process to go through,” he said.

Editor’s Notes

Nathan Solomon contributed to this feature on-site at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.

Rob Tiongson is a 30-something motorsports journalist who enjoys sports like baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track and field and hockey. A Boston native turned Austinite, racing was the first sport that caught his eyes. From interviews to retrospective articles, if it's about anything with an engine and four wheels, it'll be here on TPF, by him or by one of his talented columnists who have a passion for racing. Currently seeking a sports writing, public relations, or sports marketing career, particularly in motorsports. He enjoys editing and writing articles and features, as well as photography. Moreover, he enjoys time with his family and friends, traveling, cooking, working out and being a fun uncle or "funcle" to his nephew, niece and cat. Tiongson, a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, pursues his Master of Arts in Digital Journalism at St. Bonaventure University. Indeed, while Tiongson is proud to be from Massachusetts, he's an everywhere kind of man residing in Texas.

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