Countdown to Daytona 2026 - 29 Days

By Adam Carabine

Counting down the final 30 days to the 2026 Daytona 500, we are looking at last year's Top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Today's driver: Daniel Suarez

Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Moving from

No. 99 Car – Trackhouse Racing

to

No. 7 Car – Spire Motorsports

2025 Stats

Standings	29th
Wins	0
Points	611
Stage Points	30
Stage Wins	0
Laps Led	35
Lead Lap Finishes	21
Average Finish	20.9
DNFs	8
Races since last win	70

What Does Success Look Like in 2026?

It might be too much to ask for a win for Suarez in 2026.  He showed some flashes of speed in the 99, but expect to see some growing pains as he transitions to the new car and team.  Suarez is also not likely to make the playoffs now that the win-and-you’re-in has been removed from the rules.  A successful year would be to find some decent chemistry with his new team, and to challenge for a few Top 5s. 

Best-Case Scenario in 2026?

Suarez sneaks a win at a drafting track, and brings Spire their first victory since Justin Haley lucked into a rain-shortened Daytona win back in 2019.   

Most Likely Outcome in 2026?

Spire does seem to be on the upswing, so there’s a good chance the team performs better with Suarez in the 7, but it’s probably most likely that they work on cohesion and speed for the year and look for wins in 2027.

Bold Prediction?

Suarez and new teammate Carson Hocevar get into a fight off-track, and Suarez is removed from the team partway through the year.