Suárez shows more signs of life as playoffs approach

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Daniel Suárez continues to show signs of life as the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs rapidly approach.

Suárez’s No. 99 car was eighth as the FireKeepers Casino 400 concluded Monday morning at Michigan International Speedway. It’s another shot of momentum for the Trackhouse Racing team, as Michigan was their third consecutive top-10 finish.

Suárez’s team is building confidence heading into the playoffs. In fact, they’ve finished 16th or better in seven of the last nine races – compared to just four of the first 15 races.

Suárez moved from 11th to eighth on the final lap. That was partly because of Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott making contact with each other.

The No. 99 team’s focus for the next two weeks – Daytona and Darlington – will be on helping teammate Ross Chastain get into the playoffs and picking up valuable playoff points.

Chastain sits just +1 to the cutline ahead of Bubba Wallace. Meanwhile, Suárez is locked into the playoffs with six playoff points – five for his win at Atlanta and one for a stage win at Richmond.

Suárez will need to overcome some poor results at those tracks earlier this season. He finished 34th at Daytona and 24th at Darlington

Suárez is a popular pick for first-round elimination. But, if the momentum continues for his team, that sentiment may begin to shift.

If the playoffs started today, Suárez would be tied with Martin Truex Jr and Joey Logano. All would start above the cutline.

After Monday’s finish, Suarez’s No. 99 car will go back to NASCAR’s R&D Center for further inspection.

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