Interview: Daniel Suarez leaves Trackhouse happy, but not satisfied
Daniel Suarez is about to move to Spire Motorsports, which will be his fifth team since joining the NASCAR Cup Series. However, the majority of his Cup career and both of his wins all came with Trackhouse, who he has raced for since 2021.
But before taking the green flag one last time as the driver of the No. 99, Suarez spoke with Motorsport.com’s Luis Ramirez about his past, present, and future in the sport.
Daniel Suarez and team owner Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing
Photo by: Todd Kirkland Getty Images
Iād like to know how youāre feeling right now ā your last races with Trackhouse, what thoughts are going through your head, because this was an adventure that you started. Whatās going through Danielās mind?
“Honestly, Iām very happy because life is a cycle; everything has its moment. Many things change during a process, and even though Trackhouse is a great team ā the best years of my Cup career have been with Trackhouse ā for several months it just wasnāt the same anymore. So, it was time for a change. There were many internal changes and we no longer had the same vision, letās put it that way. So, it was time for a change, and it was mutual ā from them to me as well. It was the right time to move on, and Iām really happy about this change.
“Spire Motorsports, for me, is that breath of fresh air ā a new team that is growing incredibly fast. They have great, ambitious owners who are expanding not only in NASCAR but also in other sports. So, this is a great opportunity for me to jump on board with a team thatās on the rise, help them grow even faster, and lead them to victory.”
Are you leaving Trackhouse happy with what you accomplished, or do you feel something was missing?
“Iām leaving happy, but not satisfied. I would have liked to be listened to a bit more when it came to the internal changes that were needed within the team. But thatās how life goes. Iām not leaving with bad feelings ā it was just time.
“Itās very important in a team at this level that the mindset and the vision are aligned. If not, you start having problems because youāre simply chasing different things. So, for me, it was essential to find a new team that was not only on the rise but also shared the same mentality as me.”
Speaking of mentality, how do you feel with this new team? Do you feel like a number one driver, an important driver? Because this year it really seemed like the situation between you and the two cars was very unbalanced.Ā
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
“Well, honestly, I donāt know yet. Theyāve told me a lot of great things, so weāll see when we get there. But Iāve been really impressed with how aggressive Spire is when it comes to getting people. If they want someone, they go after them and make them a strong offer.
“At Trackhouse, I was more used to them taking their time ā checking things, waiting, saying āweāll seeā ā and that wastes a lot of time and opportunities. Spire is much more aggressive, and I like that ā thatās how I am. If I want something, I go for it. Maybe not tomorrow, but Iāll get it. In that sense, weāre very similar. We have a lot of work to do at Spire, but I think weāre on the same page about how to get there.”
Many of us in Mexico felt there was a real risk you wouldnāt race next season. Was that true? Was there a real fear that you wouldnāt race in Cup and would have to move to Xfinity? How were these past months mentally for you?
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
“I was never afraid of not racing. I was afraid of having to settle ā to accept something that wasnāt exactly what I wanted. Thatās what I didnāt want to do.
“I had options, but I didnāt want to do something just for the sake of it. Iāve been doing this for several years now, and I want to do it right. I want to wake up every morning excited to be the best version of myself. I didnāt want to join a team that said, āWell, letās see what happens.ā I wanted a team that had the same hunger as me. There were two teams that had that, and Spire was number one. So, Iām very happy that this opportunity came together.”
We talked before in Mexico about how these are the best years of your career ā whatās next for you? Do you think with Spire you can achieve that goal and make the most of those peak years?
“Definitely. I think with Spire we can reach that level because theyāre hungry, Iām hungry, and theyāll be willing to listen to whatās needed to improve. I think weāre in a great position to keep growing, moving forward, and heading in the right direction.”
How do you want to close your season with Trackhouse?
“For me, Iāve always said that as a race car driver, youāre only as good as your last race. So, itās very important to finish strong. I want to close this chapter with my head held high, hopefully with a win. Iām going to work as hard as I always have to try to finish my time with Trackhouse on a high note.”
Looking ahead to 2026 ā thereās no Mexico race. How do you feel about that after the response you saw from fans here? Do you think it could return in the future, or do you see it as difficult?
“Honestly, itās a bit of a tough situation because with the World Cup and the scheduling, I knew 2026 would be complicated. However, the enthusiasm and the effort from all sides are still there, so I think thereās a very good chance we can return in 2027.”
Next year marks an important anniversary ā becoming the first non-American driver to win a championship in a national series. After all this time, do you feel youāre where you wanted to be in the NASCAR Cup Series after almost 10 years?
2016 Champion and race winner Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Action Sports Photography
“You know, yes and no. Thatās a very good question ā no one had asked me that before. Iād say yes because Iāve learned so much. I didnāt have a dad, an uncle, or a grandfather who taught me everything about racing. I had to learn it all on my own.
“Would I like to have more wins, more championships, and more stability with teams? Of course. But every driver is different. Iām a different kind of driver ā thatās why Iām the only Mexican here. My journey has been completely different from everyone elseās, and Iāve had to struggle in a different way. So, yes, Iād like to have more, but at the same time, Iāve had to go through a lot more than most others. Itās hard to compare myself to them.”
From your years at Trackhouse, which season would you keep as your favorite? Which would you call your golden moment? And do you feel there was ever a real chance to fight for the championship?
“Iād say 2022 and 2024. Those were definitely our best years. Maybe we just lacked a few things ā whether it was team performance, strategy, or me making better decisions ā but yes, 2022 was definitely our best year as a team.
“But that was three or four years ago, and thatās important to recognize ā some teams rise, some level off, others decline. Itās crucial to be with a team when itās on the rise. I was with Trackhouse when we were going up, but lately, not so much. Thatās somewhat concerning, especially on Saturdays.”
Thinking ahead to this future, what do you think you will bring to this new team?
“Well, as you mentioned, all the experience I have. I know what it takes for a team to be successful. The team has to help you get what you need ā you ask for whatās required, and the team must support you in achieving it. Thatās going to be key to building this new project with Spire.”
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