AVONDALE, Ariz. – Daniel Suarez capitalized on a gutsy pit call strategy and survived a wild Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series restart in overtime to finish seventh in Sunday afternoon’s Camping World 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
The effort was gratifying for the Monterrey, Mexico native who crashed just 11 laps into Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series DC Solar 200. On Sunday, Suarez stayed consistent and confident, a trait that worked to his advantage to be the second highest finishing Joe Gibbs Racing car.
“It’s a big deal because in the last two races we have struggled,” said Suarez. “We didn’t have the speed and the communication wasn’t great, but we’ve been working very hard trying to work on chemistry, communication and for sure we’ve been getting better.
“Yesterday in the last practice, in the happy hour, I felt very good about the car. I feel like we were going to have a shot to have some fun in the race and I wasn’t wrong. The team did a very good job.”
Before the last caution flew on Lap 307, Suarez was still in position for a solid finish. After hovering inside the top-25 during the first two stages. As the third and final stage pressed on, Suarez shuffled himself forward sitting 14th when the eighth and final caution waved.
The call from Dave Rogers for two tires and a lightning fast pit stop by his JGR allowed Suarez to restart 12th. In two laps, Suarez bolted five spots to claim seventh.
“The guys did an amazing job,” added Suarez. They just did exactly what they had to do. A fast pit stop, two tires and the car was almost as good as four tires.”
Since taking the wheel of the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota for Carl Edwards who announced in January he was stepping away from full-time racing, the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion has experienced some growing pains, especially with his feel and comfort.
In Daytona, a solid showing was derailed by a mid-race accident. At Atlanta, he flew under the radar with a 21st place finish. Last weekend at Las Vegas, his weekend started off strong with an 11th place qualifying effort – the lack of balance for the rookie driver dropped him through the field to a 20th place run.
With the mindset and acknowledgment of having to get better with every race, the 25-year-old was prepared to do his part and utilize the knowledge he gained recently.
“The biggest thing I have learned in the last few weeks is that normally in the NASCAR XFINITY Series when you are a little bit off, you still in the top 10. When you’re a little bit off in the Cup car, you’re 21st, 25th. So, it’s a big difference,” said Suarez.
“You make that gain back, then you are in the top 10, you’re in the top 15. It’s very competitive. I can tell you the best drivers in the world are here in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Never said it was going to be easy.
“But we have to work hard. I know I have the team. I know that I have the things that it takes to be competitive in this level.”
After four races, Suarez sits 21st in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings heading to Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway next weekend, where the NASCAR Next alumnus earned his fourth career XFINITY Series pole en route to a fourth-place finish.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
