Suarez, the primary Mexican-born Cup Collection winner, is competing within the non-points NASCAR Mexico invitational occasion held previous to Sunday’s Conflict. Each sequence hit the short-term ¼-mile paved oval for the primary time on Saturday.
At a Fox Sports activities information convention Friday on the Coliseum, Suarez mentioned the significance of the Mexico’s sequence’ involvement this weekend couldn’t be understated.
“If there was no NASCAR Mexico, there could be no Daniel Suarez within the Cup Collection,” he mentioned. “This can be a huge deal. Some folks perceive that. Some folks don’t. However I do as a result of I used to be a part of that.
“This sequence is being placed on a really huge stage.”
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photos
It’s a stage the 32-year-old native of Monterrey, Mexico, is comfortable to share this weekend.
Suarez, who debuted in NASCAR competitors in Mexico in 2009 and have become the primary Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR nationwide sequence race in 2016 along with his Xfinity Collection victory at Michigan, has change into synonymous with NASCAR’s variety efforts in recent times.
However he additionally by no means stops searching for to problem himself and all the time desires to enhance.
After ending a career-best tenth within the sequence standings in 2022 and successful his first Cup race, Suarez dropped nineteenth final yr and didn’t garner a win.
Though solely an exhibition, Suarez mentioned he’s anxious to get again behind the wheel of his No. 99 Chevrolet to start out the brand new season, which additionally contains the addition of latest crew chief Matt Swiderski, former competitors director at Kaulig Racing.
“Though we didn’t examine off lots of targets (final yr), I’m extraordinarily excited concerning the new yr,” Suarez mentioned. “We did lots of work on the No. 99 within the offseason as you guys noticed and I’m very excited to see the place we’re at.
“I’m not going to say something (an excessive amount of) however I really feel superb about it. I feel all of the work goes to repay this yr.”
Suarez mentioned he has spent lots of time with Swiderski because the crew chief change was introduced.
“We’ve been working to grasp one another. Thus far, I’ve been nothing however impressed. I feel Matt is a really, very proficient crew chief.”
Suarez has made no secret of his affinity for the form of group workforce co-owner Justin Marks was constructing when Suarez first arrived in 2021.
In its comparatively quick tenure, three drivers – Suarez, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen – have received Cup races. Trackhouse just lately added former Truck champion Zane Smith to its roster, who will compete in 2024 with Spire Motorsports.
As well as, the group has additionally entered Moto GP, fielding a two-rider workforce on Aprilia’s RS-GP.
With all of the additions additionally come extra expectations.
“The corporate is rising and we’re getting an increasing number of hungry for victories and championships,” Suarez mentioned. “It’s crucial to have folks on groups that may carry out and win races and never simply from time to time.
“Final yr we put ourselves in place (to win) a number of occasions, however you received’t have the ability to win a championship like that and also you received’t have the ability to win races on a constant foundation like that. If you wish to win three to 5 races a yr, there’s no manner.
“I feel Trackhouse positively desires extra, and we’ve labored arduous within the offseason to enhance.”
