By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Daniel Suarez is again in a contract year in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2019. After leaving Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of 2018, the Mexican driver is in the middle of his debut season with Stewart-Haas Racing and their No. 41 Ford.
With no set plan for 2020, Suarez is happy with how things stand as of Friday at Michigan International Speedway.
“We are working on things. I feel very confident in where we are,” Suarez said. “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.”
His third year of Cup racing has seen its share of tough spots. With only one top-five finish through 14 races, Suarez knows the performance isn’t meeting the hopes.
“We know where we are at and what we can do,” he said. “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 three years [at JGR]. It is 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.”
Despite the lack of results, the 27-year-old couldn’t feel more comfortable with the SHR organization. Teammates Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola, too, have gone winless in 2019, and team owner Tony Stewart has backed Suarez since the offseason.
“I feel like we are going to be in good shape,” he said. “I feel like I am in a good home with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford Performance and everyone in this group. I am not really worried. I feel confident about it.
“But I will tell you that I felt confident about it last year and you saw what happened. You never know in this sport.”
Leading opening practice at Michigan, Suarez is putting all focus toward the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday — in other words, what he can control.
“I don’t like talking about it until it is 110% secure,” he said. “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.”