Daniel Suárez delivered a remarkable performance at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, finishing second after starting in 12th position, though this effort was not enough to secure him a playoff spot. His teammate Ross Chastain, who started 19th and finished 15th, praised Suárez’s determination and racecraft throughout the event.
Chastain Reflects on His Own Race and Team Performance
Ross Chastain praised his No. 1 SafetyCulture Chevrolet for its consistency, highlighting that he did not request any adjustments during the race. Chastain managed a second-place finish in Stage 1 and won Stage 2, but his strategy faltered in the final segment, affecting his overall result.
We had a really good No. 1 SafetyCulture Chevrolet tonight. I didn’t ask for an adjustment all night, and I wouldn’t ask for anything different for another 400 miles.
—Ross Chastain
Chastain acknowledged the challenges posed by the speedway package, mentioning limited room for car handling changes but praised his team for finding a solid setup. He noted hearing from Shane van Gisbergen about similar issues and hoped the No. 88 team can adjust their car’s performance accordingly.
Chastain Celebrates Suárez’s Effort and Playoff Contenders
Despite missing the playoffs, Suárez’s late-race surge won respect from Chastain, who expressed pride in both drivers making it into the postseason. He wished all three Trackhouse Racing drivers could be playoff contenders but remains optimistic about their chances going forward.
I’m proud of the effort by Daniel (Suárez) and the No. 99 team. He kept his cool tonight. I tried to push him at times; it didn’t work out, and he made it up there on his own, there at the end, and gave himself a shot. It would be better with three, but we’re definitely proud of the effort tonight. We still have three cars going to compete for wins.
—Ross Chastain
Suárez’s Late-Race Charge Brings Close Finish
With just two laps remaining, Daniel Suárez was running 19th but joined Ryan Blaney in a fierce charge through the field. On the final stretch, Suárez raced on the outside line in a four-wide battle and crossed the finish line just 0.031 seconds behind Blaney, showcasing his competitive spirit.
Looking Ahead to a Promising 2025 Season
Although missing the playoffs was a disappointment for Suárez, he remains optimistic about the future. He reaffirmed his commitment to returning to victory lane and continuing to race with passion, earning admiration from fans for his resilience and fighting spirit.
