Daniel Suarez on 2019 NASCAR plans: ‘We’re talking to a lot of people’
By Nick Tylwalk
Daniel Suarez might have the best chance of a soft landing of anyone getting shuffled around against their will this NASCAR Silly Season.
The most uncomfortable situations for drivers during any NASCAR Silly Season are the ones who are left twisting in the wind. Unfortunately, Daniel Suarez fits that description this year.
It’s widely assumed that Martin Truex Jr. will land in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota that Suarez currently drives, so much so that the rumor mill has basically stopped churning when it comes to the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion. Where to for Suarez? We don’t know yet.
Neither does he, or at least he doesn’t sound like it from what he told NBC Sports at Richmond.
"We’re talking to a lot of people. I’m sure good things will come our way."
Silly Season is a time that’s often full of optimism for displaced drivers, but there’s reason to believe Suarez has a right to be more confident than most. He’s on the shortlist of candidates for the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, with co-owner Gene Haas admitting the team has already spoken to the Suarez camp and noting that the 26-year-old Mexican wheelman brings some sponsorship dollars with him.
Another rumor that persists is that he could replace Kasey Kahne at Leavine Family Racing, which would switch to Toyota and be aligned with Joe Gibbs Racing (which could be a little awkward for Suarez, but he’s a professional). With manufacturer support and some sponsor money backing him, that combination could make the 95 a lot more competitive next season.
Next. Is a Ryan Newman-Roush Fenway Racing announcement imminent?. dark
For the time being, things seem to be frosty between Suarez and his current team. NBC Sports noted that he no longer says he races for JGR on his Twitter profile, and to which he responded, “When you don’t have anything good to say, it is better not to say anything.”
He doesn’t really have to right now. It’s easy to understand why he wouldn’t enjoy being in this position, but out guess is that he won’t have to for much longer.