Daytona Runner-Up Aids Suarez’s Case For New Cup Job

Daniel Suarez (99) leads a pack of cars at Daytona (Fla.) Int'l Speedway. (Rusty Jarrett/Nigel Kinrade Photography)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – While some drivers raced for only a postseason spot Saturday night at Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daniel Suarez’s race meant much more.

Suarez wasn’t just racing for a shot at a Cup Series championship, but also auditioning for a job in 2026.

After the expected news was confirmed Saturday of NASCAR Xfinity Series title contender and phenom Connor Zilisch replacing Suarez at Trackhouse Racing next year, Suarez entered the World Center of Racing knowing that every chance to shine is a crucial one.

With that, Suarez finished second in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 to extend his recent top 10 streak to three races in a row. Since the news broke on July 1 that he wouldn’t return to Trackhouse, Suarez has four top 15s, with three runs of seventh or better since Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l three weeks ago.

On the final lap entering turn three, Suarez was behind eventual race winner Ryan Blaney in the middle of three wide. With Blaney being out far enough ahead and having to block three lanes, Suarez had the opportunity to mount a run with the help of Erik Jones behind him in the top lane.

As he gained momentum coming out of turn four and entering the trioval, Blaney was able to throw a block on Suarez’s first run, preventing him from getting to his outside quarter panel.

Then, with the No. 12 surging down to protect his inside, Suarez had another run which would’ve gotten him side-by-side for the lead had it not already been too late.

Blaney had crossed the start-finish line already, and Suarez’s run was only able to beat Justin Haley and Cole Custer for a second-place result. Although it wasn’t a win, Saturday night was still a big deal for Suarez.

The 33-year-old earned his first top five since March at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. He also tied his highest finish of the season, as he was second in that race in ‘Sin City’.

Although he didn’t earn any stage points in the race, Suarez was able to avoid the 12-car wreck that took out many contenders for the win.

“I don’t know if I could have done anything different with the last few laps. Maybe a different move 40 laps before the end, because we didn’t set ourselves up [for the finish] as good as we wanted to be. But that’s no excuse,” said Suarez. “The No. 12 [of Blaney] was back there with us, and he was able to make it to the front.

“But I’m proud of the effort. That was the fastest superspeedway car we’ve had in a few years.”

This was the Monterrey, Mexico, native’s second top 10 at Daytona and best Daytona finish in 17 regular season starts. On top of that, he led six laps and recorded his fifth top five in the Next Gen era on superspeedways.

As he continues to stack his resume for a potential opportunity in NASCAR’s national series for next year, Suarez will next turn to Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

He has one top 10 at the Track Too Tough to Tame, a 10th-place result in 2022. Since is not in the playoffs, Suarez can race without that pressure, as he fights for his next career opportunity.

He feels he is close to winning a race, but looks to make the most out of his final 10 races with Trackhouse Racing to close a five-year chapter going back to 2021.

“Our playoff run ends here,” he said. “But I’m pretty positive on where we are at. We’re going to be in victory lane here soon.”

Coverage of the 76th Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington is slated for Sunday, Aug. 31 on USA, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.