Editor’s note: This continues the series of season reviews for select 2022 NASCAR Cup Series drivers.
See more: Bubba Wallace, Erik Jones, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe
Driver: Daniel Suárez
Car: No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Crew chief: Travis Mack
Final 2022 ranking: 10th
Key stats: 1 win, 6 top fives, 13 top 10s, 280 laps led
How 2022 ended: Nearly advancing both cars to the Round of 8, power-steering issues for the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing entry at the Charlotte Roval spoiled Suárez’s optimistic afternoon. Sitting 12 points above the cutline with 47 laps remaining, the issue sparked and sent Suárez and company into panic mode as they navigated through the treacherous left-and-right-handed turns. Unfortunately, though Suárez put on an incredible performance to even make it to the checkered flag, the pace and positions lost ended with the No. 99 team on the outside looking in. In the season’s final four races, he ended with three top-16 finishes.
Best race: Sonoma Raceway. After flexing his raw speed at Circuit of The Americas, Suárez’s spin in the latter half of the race resulted in an unfortunate finish for the team. But as soon as the next road course hit the schedule, Suárez made amends with one of the most notable victories in NASCAR history. Suárez dominated the 2.52-mile California circuit, leading 47 laps and earning the first win of his Cup Series career – making him the first Mexican-born driver to win at the sport’s premier level.
MORE: Suárez’s victory is one for the history books | Photos from the celebration
Stat to know: Leading 280 laps this season, Suárez nearly matched his total in his previous five Cup Series seasons combined. Before 2022, he had only led 335 laps at the level and no more than 166 in a single season. His career-best 280 laps were split among 12 races in which he held the lead, pacing the field for 30 or more laps five times.
Quotable: “I’m extremely proud to be the driver from Mexico, the driver from a different background. I don’t feel that the sport could have found someone more committed to myself, my culture and my background.”
WATCH: Why did Suárez choose NASCAR?
Looking ahead: Amid the best season of his Cup Series career, team owner Justin Marks and Suárez signed a contract extension, keeping him in the No. 99 with Trackhouse Racing for the 2023 season. The new contract pushes him into his third season with the team, his longest stint at a single organization in his premier series career. Suárez should be not only a playoff contender but a serious threat to win multiple races next season after his strong showings at multiple types of tracks in 2022.