For the fourth time in three weeks, Daniel Suarez had the fastest car in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice session.
In Friday’s opening practice for Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (2 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Suarez topped the speed chart at 188.882 mph.
Though he previously led two practices at Charlotte and one at Pocono, those efforts didn’t translate in results on Sunday afternoon. Suarez finished 18th in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in late May and eighth in last Sunday’s Pocono 400.
“Our cars have been very fast,” Suarez said after Friday’s first practice session. “The problem that we have had in the last month is that we haven’t been able to race that way. We have fast cars—there is no doubt. We just have to be able to transfer that into the race and that means having a good car for traffic and having a good car in the draft and all those different situations.
“I feel like everyone has been working hard and making gains. It is always fun to be the fastest in practice, but we know that isn’t the most important part. It shows we have speed, but now we need to transfer that into the race. Hopefully, we can do that this weekend.”
Suarez also explained his current contract situation with Stewart-Haas Racing, indicating that both he and the team have renewal options after the 2019 season. Suarez came to SHR this year after two seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he lost his ride to make room for Martin Truex Jr.
“I feel very confident in where we are,” said Suarez, who was fourth fastest in Happy Hour and quickest in 10 consecutive lap average. “We have options on both sides, which is good. I have an option, they have an option, and I feel that is the best way to do things, especially when you have a lot of unknowns at the beginning of the year. We know where we are at and what we can do. We haven’t won races—that was my goal, but nobody has on the team.
“It isn’t like I am the only one not winning races like it was the last (two) years. It’s a way different situation. I feel like, when we move forward, we move forward together. I don’t feel like I am the guy that is struggling of the group. I feel like we are going to be in good shape. I feel like I am in a good home with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford Performance and everyone in this group. I’m not really worried. I feel confident about it.
“But I will tell you that I felt confident about it as well last year and you saw what happened. You never know in this sport. I don’t like talking about it until it is 110-percent secure. The sport is at a point where anything can happen. What I can control is this weekend. I have to do my thing this weekend and try to win races. I feel like the rest will take care of itself.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
- Hamlin: ‘We just couldn’t get it going’ - April 14, 2024
- Finally: Chase Elliott wins at Texas in a double overtime finish - April 14, 2024
- Photos: NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday April 14, 2024 - April 14, 2024