By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
“Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore.”
Daniel Suarez was the lone ranger from the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) camp in the first Can-Am Duel at Daytona International Speedway.
Suarez started the duel from the fourth position. When the green flag unfurled, Suarez stayed up towards the front of the field. While jockeying for position at the front, Jimmie Johnson blew a tire in front of Suarez. Suarez was able to avoid collision by spinning into the run-off area.
After numerous trips down pit road, Suarez was able to escape the accident with minimal damage. After numerous trips down pit road, the Toyota driver stayed up front.
“There was some change with elevation in the race track, so I just went through there,” Suarez said. “These cars are so low right now, with the elevation change in the asphalt, it killed everything.”
Being the lone ranger for Toyota, it was tough for Suarez to make a run to the front of the field. Although there was some frustration, Suarez is looking forward to Sunday with all his teammates.
“It is a challenge because you cannot do anything. You can make moves, but I was pretty sure no one was going to go with me. I was just a passenger tonight, but that will be different Sunday.”
Suarez will not start from the rear of the field for the 60th Daytona 500 as the team will repair the car over the next couple days.