During the final moments of Stage 2 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 race at the Charlotte ROVAL, Daniel Suárez had an opportunity to overtake Joey Logano but chose not to make the pass. This moment proved pivotal for the contest between Logano and Suárez’s teammate Ross Chastain, as they fought for the final playoff spot advancing to the Round of 8.
With both drivers tied on points coming into the last lap, Logano held the tiebreaker over Chastain and ultimately secured the transfer position. Suárez’s choice raised questions about whether he deliberately decided not to advance his teammate’s chances. Denny Hamlin expressed uncertainty regarding Suárez’s intentions.
Now, for the record, we come out, if we flip stages on a road course, do not be surprised if our lap times are significantly slower than what they were when we just pitted because we know we’re gonna stay out and the team will harp on us, ‘Do not push these tires the first two laps. Take it easy because we’re about to stay out,’
Hamlin said on Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast.
Now, did he not pass Logano by choice because he’s chapped at the organization for letting him go, or was he just being smart saying, ‘I’m not gonna burn my sh*t up here.’ In one lap, Joey’s about to pit, that spot is irrelevant so why would I burn my tires up for the next stage? That’s the counter. It’s not like people just pass at will.
Suárez’s Struggle with Tire Issues Explains His Inaction
According to CBS Sports reporter Steven Taranto, Suárez informed his team he was locking up his front tires with about half a lap remaining in Stage 2. This suggests his inability or reluctance to make the pass was influenced by tire management concerns rather than intentional sabotage.
Hamlin provided further insights on Suárez’s mindset and the situation’s context, emphasizing that the playoff spot itself held no relevance for Suárez, who lost his seat for the 2026 season and will race only four more times with Trackhouse Racing.
I’m sure his Trackhouse team would have loved for him to go get that spot and take it from Joey, but it appears — I don’t know if it was related or not,
Hamlin said.
… I don’t know that it was deliberate. If anything was deliberate, Daniel was just trying to do the best he could to give himself the best finish of the day which this spot is completely irrelevant to me, I care nothing about the points, I wasn’t part of the playoffs anyway, why do I care? I’ve got three, four more races for this team. Why do I care?
That’s probably wrong of me to say that’s what he’s thinking in his head, but he’s just trying to get the best finish he can. It is part of the long list of good fortune things the 22 [Logano] had happen.
Ultimately, Suárez finished seventh at the ROVAL, reflecting a respectable performance despite the controversy. His four remaining races with Trackhouse Racing mark the closing phase of his tenure with the team.
The Playoff Battle and What Suárez’s Choice Means Moving Forward
The clash for the final postseason advancement spot between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain turned on razor-thin margins, culminating in a tied points battle resolved by the tiebreaker favoring Logano. Suárez’s inaction indirectly influenced that outcome, sowing tension amid his impending departure from Trackhouse Racing.
This incident highlights the complexities drivers face when balancing team allegiance, personal circumstances, and strategic tire management late in races. With Suárez’s future outside Trackhouse confirmed, the team must rally around their remaining contenders to secure playoff success.
The debate about Suárez’s intentions may linger, but his decisions stemmed from a mix of physical limitations and strategic calculations rather than clear sabotage. How Trackhouse and its drivers adjust in the coming races will shape the team’s playoff fate and offseason moves.
Was watching Daniel Suarez's onboard and it seemed like he was trying to pass Joey Logano (vs. what the broadcast was saying). Suarez said with about half a lap left in the stage that he was locking up his fronts.
Logano will end up P8 in the stage and with some stage points. pic.twitter.com/vJVuVfahKH
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 5, 2025
