Daniel Suarez has been an important figure in NASCAR for nearly a decade. The Monterey, Mexico, native further cemented his place among NASCAR's top names with his win this past Sunday at Atlanta.
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He has secured his spot in the 2024 NASCAR playoffs with the win. That followed a miserable 2023 that saw him miss the playoffs.
According to Daniel Bates from The Spun, Suarez spoke with reporters about how important the win was. It was his first since 2022, when he got his first career Cup victory at Sonoma. However, he is focused on not relaxing, as he is hungry to win more.
"I'm happy that we were able to do it early in the season because some people actually told me earlier, 'Hey, now you can relax, you're in the playoffs,'" Suarez said. "Hell no. My goal is not to win one race. I want to head into the playoffs with at least a handful — with a few wins to be able to contend for a championship. ... This is not relaxing here. This is only the beginning. We have to continue to work, continue to build."
Suarez also made a point that the fans, media and his fellow competitors should be ready to see him running at the front a lot more, and that other drivers should expect to have to beat him every week.
"I'm happy that we are secure in the playoffs, but to be able to win the championship, you won't do it winning one or two races," Suarez said. "You have to win at least a handful of races to create points, and that's the goal for the 99. The goal for me with the 99 is for you guys not to be surprised when the 99 is in Victory Lane."
Trackhouse Racing has certainly shown that with Ross Chastain. And now Suarez has the confidence to also compete at a championship level.
