LAS VEGAS, Nev. — You could tell by just looking at Daniel Suarez that he didn’t feel well this afternoon at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
And when Sprint Cup Series veteran Matt Kenseth climbed into Suarez’s No. 18 ARRIS Toyota Camry during the first NASCAR XFINITY Series practice session at the 1.5-mile, the guessing became a confirmation.
Suarez spent much of Friday afternoon’s first practice session in the infield care center getting treatment after telling CATCHFENCE.com he’s suffering from a stomach bug.
Despite not feeling 100 percent, Suarez was released from the infield care center and joined his Joe Gibbs Racing team in the garage to take a few laps in his No. 18 ARRIS Toyota nearing the end of the session.
The former NASCAR Next driver looked dicey on the track though, as he struggled to find his comfort zone. The JGR team ended the session ninth fastest overall at 177.363 miles per hour in a lap turned by Kenseth.
The Monterrey, Mexico native did participate in the entire final XFINITY Series practice Friday afternoon and maneuvered the 19th fastest time overall. Suarez reported to his team that he battled a tight condition throughout practice.
Suarez enters Saturday’s Boyd Gaming 300 on the heels of a solid 14th place finish last Saturday afternoon at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. His recovery from being involved in the “Big One” at Daytona a week earlier rose the 23-year old to 20th in the championship standings.
A Joe Gibbs Racing spokesperson said Suarez will visit the infield care center again before leaving the speedway Friday night.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
