Daniel Suárez carries ‘good vibe,’ solid stats in Atlanta return

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Almost 365 days since the three-wide photo finish at the track, Daniel Suárez looks ahead to the 2025 spring bout at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a chance to build on last season's thrilling victory. The finish, which saw Suárez, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch race neck and neck to the line, resulted in the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet prevailing in what was Suárez's second career Cup Series victory. The 0.003-second conclusion currently stands as the fourth-closest Cup Series finish in the circuit's history. RELATED: Atlanta weekend schedule | At-track photos The 33-year-old Monterrey, Mexico native believes he and his team have learned plenty since the electric finish. "A lot. I think I have got better, and the team has got better," Suárez said. "We still have things that we have to continue to work on, as always. You know, you can't always stand still, you have to continue to get better. But I think we're in a good spot. In my opinion, we were stronger in the fall, second race at Atlanta last year than the first Atlanta when we won, and that, for me, was very important, you know, just to continue to get better. We didn't win that one, but I think that we could have won that one. I think we're playing a little bit different. But overall, I'm very excited for the opportunity once again here. We're gonna have another fast car and looking forward to mix it up with the rest of the guys." Since Atlanta's reconfiguration to begin the 2022 Cup campaign, Suárez has tallied efficient -- and consistent -- results at the 1.54-mile facility. Suárez has finished inside the top 10 in five of the six Cup contests at the track since its reconfiguration and has collected a runner-up result -- or win -- in three consecutive Atlanta contests, dating back to July 2023. Suárez's 7.33 average finish at the reconfigured Atlanta additionally ranks second among all Cup Series drivers, with 2023 Cup Series champion Blaney the only driver standing higher (7.17). MORE: Sunday's starting lineup | Projected results for Atlanta spring race "I mean, I liked this place even before the configuration. I was always strong here," Suárez said when speaking about Atlanta. "It was always a good place for me, for some reason, and I have a good vibe for this place. And I love racing here. A lot of Mexicans always show up here. I love racing here, and already, since the configuration, the results have been extremely good." Suárez starts Sunday's Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta (3 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) in 29th. Suárez finished 13th in the 2025 Daytona 500 and currently sits 12th in the Cup Series standings.