He also explained how much the track changed over the course of 50 to 75 laps.
“The racetrack changed completely,” stated Suarez. “I was actually talking to Denny about it. They did a lot of things to the racetrack, to some cars it came to them, some others they lost the balance a little bit. Unfortunately, I was one of those that lost the balance a little bit. For some reason, my rear grip wasn’t the same. I felt that my car was capable to challenge for the race lead before that. I kind of like had a plan in my mind.”
“The last 50 laps for some reason I lost that grip. I just couldn’t do much about it. From being a first- or second-place car, I became a fifth- to fourth-place car. That’s exactly where we ended.”
While Suárez was extremely satisfied with the finish, he was quick to point out – the team’s performance isn’t a fluke. Last weekend at Atlanta, the team challenged for a top-10 finish but a late race speeding penalty under green flag condition took the Welcome, N.C.-team from an assured top-10 to a respectable 17th place run – all things considered.
“It was already a good day for us, running up front, leading laps, and staying in the top-10, top-five the entire race,” sounded Suarez. “But if you look at it, last week we were very similar. I mean, we didn’t lead laps, but I made a mistake in the last pit stop, and that took away our chance to finish either fifth or sixth.
“It’s the second week in a row that we’ve been running strong. I don’t see this as, okay, we run good because we’re on dirt. I feel like everyone at Trackhouse Racing has done an incredible job to work hard on these cars, get them better.
“Really a lot of support from RCR, engines and chassis and everything. I feel like we still a long ways to go from where we want to be, but we’re heading the right direction.”
Looking ahead to Martinsville in two weeks, Suárez has climbed to 20th in the championship standings and is hunting his third top-10 finish at the 0.526-mile paperclip and better a track-best ninth earned in 2018 driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I feel good,” Suarez offered. “For now, I’m really looking forward to sit down a little bit, relax for a few days, try to see everything that we have done the last month and a half, either good or bad, and what can we do better.
“I feel like Martinsville has been a good place for me in the past. I’m really looking forward, like I said, a few days off, then come back with my group, work hard and try to build a good piece for Martinsville. I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of fun there.”
Long-term, Suárez is extremely happy with the direction of his rookie team less than two months into the season. He expects the strong finishes to continue, and should all the components line up – he doesn’t rule out a victory before the Playoffs roar to life in September – especially under the leadership of Mack.
“I really enjoy a lot working with Travis,” he said. “He’s very smart, a great leader, a great person that work extremely good with people. He calms me down the entire time. I’m the kind of person that I get excited very easy. He does a great job making sure that I’m always calm down and relaxed on things.
“He doesn’t get to the chip on the rpm too often, which is a good thing. I really enjoy working with Travis, everyone at Trackhouse Racing. Everyone does an amazing job. We have a very good relationship, very good chemistry. I feel like it will only get better from here.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
