Daniel Suarez is about to maneuver to Spire Motorsports, which might be his fifth group since becoming a member of the NASCAR Cup Collection. Nonetheless, 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 group proprietor Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing
Picture 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 by means of your head, as a result of this was an journey that you simply began. What’s going by means of Daniel’s thoughts?
“Actually, I’m very pleased as a result of life is a cycle; all the things has its second. Many issues change throughout a course of, and regardless that Trackhouse is a good group — 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 inside modifications and we now 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 appropriate time to maneuver on, and I’m actually pleased about this variation.
“Spire Motorsports, for me, is that breath of contemporary air — a brand new group that’s rising extremely quick. They’ve nice, bold homeowners who’re increasing not solely in NASCAR but additionally in different sports activities. So, it is a nice alternative for me to leap on board with a group that’s on the rise, assist them develop even sooner, and cause them to victory.”
Are you leaving Trackhouse proud of what you completed, or do you are feeling one thing was lacking?
“I’m leaving pleased, however not happy. I might have preferred to be listened to a bit extra when it got here to the inner modifications that had been wanted throughout the group. However that’s how life goes. I’m not leaving with dangerous emotions — it was simply time.
“It’s crucial in a group at this degree 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 group that was not solely on the rise but additionally shared the identical mentality as me.”
Talking of mentality, how do you are feeling with this new group? Do you are feeling like a primary driver, an essential driver? As a result of this 12 months 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
Picture by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Pictures
“Nicely, truthfully, I don’t know but. They’ve advised me quite a lot of nice issues, so we’ll see after we get there. However I’ve been actually impressed with how aggressive Spire is in relation to getting folks. If they need somebody, they go after them and make them a powerful provide.
“At Trackhouse, I used to be extra used to them taking their time — checking issues, ready, saying “we’ll see” — and that wastes quite a lot of time and alternatives. Spire is way 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 comparable. We’ve quite a lot of work to do at Spire, however I believe we’re on the identical web page about tips on how to get there.”
Many people in Mexico felt there was an actual danger 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 had been these previous months mentally for you?
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Picture 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 need to do.
“I had choices, however I didn’t need to do one thing only for the sake of it. I’ve been doing this for a number of years now, and I need to do it proper. I need to get up each morning excited to be the very best model of myself. I didn’t need to be a part of a group that mentioned, “Nicely, let’s see what occurs.” I needed a group that had the identical starvation as me. There have been two groups that had that, and Spire was primary. So, I’m very pleased 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 assume with Spire you’ll be able to obtain that purpose and take advantage of these peak years?
“Positively. I believe with Spire we are able to attain that degree as a result of they’re hungry, I’m hungry, they usually’ll be keen to hearken to what’s wanted to enhance. I believe we’re in a fantastic place to continue to grow, shifting ahead, and on course.”
How do you need to shut your season with Trackhouse?
“For me, I’ve at all times mentioned that as a race automobile driver, you’re solely pretty much as good as your final race. So, it’s crucial to complete sturdy. I need to shut this chapter with my head held excessive, hopefully with a win. I’m going to work as arduous as I at all times must attempt to end my time with Trackhouse on a excessive be aware.”
Looking forward to 2026 — there’s no Mexico race. How do you are feeling about that after the response you noticed from followers right here? Do you assume it might return sooner or later, or do you see it as tough?
“Actually, 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 can be sophisticated. Nonetheless, the keenness and the hassle from all sides are nonetheless there, so I believe there’s an excellent likelihood we are able to return in 2027.”
Subsequent 12 months marks an essential anniversary — changing into the primary non-American driver to win a championship in a nationwide sequence. In any case this time, do you are feeling you’re the place you needed to be within the NASCAR Cup Collection after virtually 10 years?
2016 Champion and race winner Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Picture by: Motion Sports activities Images
“You already know, 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 discovered a lot. I didn’t have a dad, an uncle, or a grandfather who taught me all the things 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 completely different. I’m a unique type of driver — that’s why I’m the one Mexican right here. My journey has been fully completely different from everybody else’s, and I’ve needed to battle another way. 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 arduous to match 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 are feeling there was ever an actual likelihood to struggle for the championship?
“I’d say 2022 and 2024. These had been undoubtedly our greatest years. Possibly we simply lacked a number of issues — whether or not it was group efficiency, technique, or me making higher selections — however sure, 2022 was undoubtedly our greatest 12 months as a group.
“However that was three or 4 years in the past, and that’s essential to acknowledge — some groups rise, some degree off, others decline. It’s essential to be with a group when it’s on the rise. I used to be with Trackhouse after we had been going up, however these days, not a lot. That’s considerably regarding, particularly on Saturdays.”
Pondering forward to this future, what do you assume you’ll convey to this new group?
“Nicely, as you talked about, all of the expertise I’ve. I do know what it takes for a group to achieve success. The group has that will help you get what you want — you ask for what’s required, and the group should help you in reaching it. That’s going to be key to constructing this new mission with Spire.”
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