Daniel Suarez is about to maneuver to Spire Motorsports, which might be his fifth workforce since becoming a member of the NASCAR Cup Sequence. Nevertheless, nearly all of his Cup profession and each of his wins all got here with Trackhouse, who he has raced for since 2021.
However earlier than taking the inexperienced flag one final time as the motive force of the No. 99, Suarez spoke with Motorsport.com’s Luis Ramirez about his previous, current, and future within the sport.
Daniel Suarez and workforce proprietor Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing
Photograph by: Todd Kirkland Getty Pictures
I’d wish to know the way you’re feeling proper now — your final races with Trackhouse, what ideas are going via your head, as a result of this was an journey that you simply began. What’s going via Daniel’s thoughts?
“Truthfully, I’m very joyful as a result of life is a cycle; every part has its second. Many issues change throughout a course of, and regardless that Trackhouse is a superb workforce — the very best years of my Cup profession have been with Trackhouse — for a number of months it simply wasn’t the identical anymore. So, it was time for a change. There have been many inner modifications and we not had the identical imaginative and prescient, let’s put it that method. So, it was time for a change, and it was mutual — from them to me as effectively. It was the best time to maneuver on, and I’m actually joyful about this variation.
“Spire Motorsports, for me, is that breath of recent air — a brand new workforce that’s rising extremely quick. They’ve nice, bold homeowners who’re increasing not solely in NASCAR but additionally in different sports activities. So, this can be a nice alternative for me to leap on board with a workforce that’s on the rise, assist them develop even sooner, and make them victory.”
Are you leaving Trackhouse proud of what you achieved, or do you’re feeling one thing was lacking?
“I’m leaving joyful, however not glad. I might have favored to be listened to a bit extra when it got here to the interior modifications that have been wanted inside the workforce. However that’s how life goes. I’m not leaving with unhealthy emotions — it was simply time.
“It’s essential in a workforce at this stage that the mindset and the imaginative and prescient are aligned. If not, you begin having issues since you’re merely chasing various things. So, for me, it was important to discover a new workforce that was not solely on the rise but additionally shared the identical mentality as me.”
Talking of mentality, how do you’re feeling with this new workforce? Do you’re feeling like a primary driver, an vital driver? As a result of this yr it actually appeared just like the state of affairs between you and the 2 automobiles was very unbalanced.
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Pictures
“Effectively, actually, I don’t know but. They’ve advised me a whole lot of nice issues, so we’ll see once we get there. However I’ve been actually impressed with how aggressive Spire is relating to getting folks. If they need somebody, they go after them and make them a robust provide.
“At Trackhouse, I used to be extra used to them taking their time — checking issues, ready, saying “we’ll see” — and that wastes a whole lot of time and alternatives. Spire is rather more aggressive, and I like that — that’s how I’m. If I need one thing, I’m going for it. Possibly not tomorrow, however I’ll get it. In that sense, we’re very related. We now have a whole lot of work to do at Spire, however I feel we’re on the identical web page about how one can get there.”
Many people in Mexico felt there was an actual threat you wouldn’t race subsequent season. Was that true? Was there an actual worry that you simply wouldn’t race in Cup and must transfer to Xfinity? How have been these previous months mentally for you?
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Pictures
“I used to be by no means afraid of not racing. I used to be afraid of getting to settle — to simply accept one thing that wasn’t precisely what I needed. That’s what I didn’t wish to do.
“I had choices, however I didn’t wish to do one thing only for the sake of it. I’ve been doing this for a number of years now, and I wish to do it proper. I wish to get up each morning excited to be the very best model of myself. I didn’t wish to be part of a workforce that mentioned, “Effectively, let’s see what occurs.” I needed a workforce that had the identical starvation as me. There have been two groups that had that, and Spire was primary. So, I’m very joyful that this chance got here collectively.”
We talked earlier than in Mexico about how these are the very best years of your profession — what’s subsequent for you? Do you suppose with Spire you may obtain that aim and benefit from these peak years?
“Undoubtedly. I feel with Spire we are able to attain that stage as a result of they’re hungry, I’m hungry, and so they’ll be keen to take heed to what’s wanted to enhance. I feel we’re in an amazing place to continue to grow, shifting ahead, and on track.”
How do you wish to shut your season with Trackhouse?
“For me, I’ve at all times mentioned that as a race automotive driver, you’re solely pretty much as good as your final race. So, it’s essential to complete robust. I wish to shut this chapter with my head held excessive, hopefully with a win. I’m going to work as onerous as I at all times should attempt to end my time with Trackhouse on a excessive observe.”
Looking forward to 2026 — there’s no Mexico race. How do you’re feeling about that after the response you noticed from followers right here? Do you suppose it may return sooner or later, or do you see it as troublesome?
“Truthfully, it’s a little bit of a troublesome state of affairs as a result of with the World Cup and the scheduling, I knew 2026 could be sophisticated. Nevertheless, the keenness and the hassle from all sides are nonetheless there, so I feel there’s an excellent likelihood we are able to return in 2027.”
Subsequent yr marks an vital anniversary — changing into the primary non-American driver to win a championship in a nationwide collection. In any case this time, do you’re feeling you’re the place you needed to be within the NASCAR Cup Sequence after virtually 10 years?
2016 Champion and race winner Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Motion Sports activities Pictures
“You understand, sure and no. That’s an excellent query — nobody had requested me that earlier than. I’d say sure as a result of I’ve realized a lot. I didn’t have a dad, an uncle, or a grandfather who taught me every part about racing. I needed to be taught all of it alone.
“Would I wish to have extra wins, extra championships, and extra stability with groups? In fact. However each driver is totally different. I’m a unique form of driver — that’s why I’m the one Mexican right here. My journey has been utterly totally different from everybody else’s, and I’ve needed to wrestle otherwise. So, sure, I’d wish to have extra, however on the similar time, I’ve needed to undergo much more than most others. It’s onerous to check myself to them.”
Out of your years at Trackhouse, which season would you retain as your favourite? Which might you name your golden second? And do you’re feeling there was ever an actual likelihood to combat for the championship?
“I’d say 2022 and 2024. These have been positively our greatest years. Possibly we simply lacked a couple of issues — whether or not it was workforce efficiency, technique, or me making higher choices — however sure, 2022 was positively our greatest yr as a workforce.
“However that was three or 4 years in the past, and that’s vital to acknowledge — some groups rise, some stage off, others decline. It’s essential to be with a workforce when it’s on the rise. I used to be with Trackhouse once we have been going up, however currently, not a lot. That’s considerably regarding, particularly on Saturdays.”
Considering forward to this future, what do you suppose you’ll deliver to this new workforce?
“Effectively, as you talked about, all of the expertise I’ve. I do know what it takes for a workforce to achieve success. The workforce has that can assist you get what you want — you ask for what’s required, and the workforce should help you in attaining it. That’s going to be key to constructing this new venture with Spire.”
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